tihxaty  of  trhe  t:1\eolo0ical  ^eminarjo 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 


d^D* 


PRESENTED  BY 

Rufus  H.   LeFevre 

.SZ..A\ 
1^15 


Origin  J  Doctrine^  Con 


and 


Discipline 


of  the 


\y 


United  Brethren  in  Christ 


Otterbein  Press 

United  Brethren  Publishing  House 

Dayton,  Ohio 

1913 

W.  R.  FUNK,  PubHsher 


Edited  and  Published  by 
Authority  of  the  General  Conference 


CONTENTS. 


PART  I. 


THE    CHURCH. 
CHAPTER  PAGE 

I.     Origin  of  the  Church 9 

II.     Confession    of    Faith 18 

III.     Constitution  16 

PART  II. 

membership,  government,  and  ministry. 

IV.     Members    19 

Reception  of  Members   19 

Duties  of  Members   21 

Trial  of  Members 25 

Transfer  and  Withdrawal  of  Members ...  27 

V.     Go\t:rnment  of  the  Church 30 

Classes     80 

Class-Leaders   80 

Class-Stewards     81 

Church   Deacons    82 

Church  Clerk   32 

Official    Boards    33 

Quarterly  Conference    34 

Annual  Conference    37 

General   Conference    39 

General  Church  Treasurer    44 

Orphanages  and  Old  People's  Homes   ....  44 

VI.     Ministry  of  the  Church 4G 

Lay  Preachers   4G 

Quarterly-Conference    Preachers    4(3 

Annual-Conference  Preachers 48 

Reception    of    Preachers    from    Other 

Churches   51 

Classification  of  the  Ministry    51 

Elders .' 52 

Conference    Superintendents    54 

Bishops    55 

Trial  of  Preachers    59 

Marriage — Who  May   Solemnize    02 

Preachers'  Duties  in  General (52 

V. 


VI. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  PAGE 

VII.     Itinerancy   G4 

Itinerants    04 

Duties  of  Itinerants   Go 

Preachers'  Salaries   09 

Preachers'  Pension  Bureau   70 

VIII.     Deaconesses 78 

In  Local  Churches    78 

Deaconess'    Homes    .'.,....  74 

Course  of  Studj'    74 

German  Course  of  Study    75 

IX.     Courses  of  Study  77 

For   Quarterly-Conference   Preachers    ....  77 

For  Annual-Conference  Preachers 78 

German  Course  of  Reading 82 

Completing  the   Course    83 

X.     Appeals 84 

From  the  Decision  of  a  Class   84 

From    the    Decision    of    a    Quarterly    Con- 
ference     84 

Court  of  Appeals    84 

PART  III. 

MORAL    REFORM. 

XI.     Special  Rules    86 

Social   Service    86 

Temperance    87 

Sabbath  Observance   88 

Slavery    88 

Secret   Combinations    88 

Oaths 88 

War   89 

The  Familv    89 


PART  IV. 

property. 

XII.     Church-Houses   and   Parsonages 90 

XIII.     Board  of  Church  Trustees 94 


CONTENTS  Vll. 

PART  V. 

DEPARTMENTS    FOR    CHRISTIAN    INSTRUCTION    AND    TRAINING. 
CHAPTER  PAGE 

XIV.     Sunday   School,   Brotherhood  and   Young 

People's  Work 95 

Constitution  of  Board  of  Control 95 

Sunday-School  Work    99 

Constitution  for  a  Sunday  School 99 

Brotherhood  Work    101 

Constitution  for  Brotherhood  Work 101 

Young  People's  Work    104 

Constitution  of  Christian  Endeavor  Society  104 

Constitution  for  Junior   Society    Ill 

Constitution    for    Conference    Branch    En- 
deavor Union   115 

XV.     Christian  Stewardship  Commission 118 

PART  VI. 

benevolent  and  educational  tnstitutions. 

XVI.     Home  Missionary   Society — Constitution...  124 

XVII.     Foreign  Missionary  Society — Constitution.  130 

XVIII.     Woman's   Missionary   Association 138 

General   Constitution    138 

Branch    Constitution    144 

Local   Constitution    146 

Constitution     of     Chapter     of     Otterbein 

Guild    149 

XIX.     Women's  Aid  Societies 153 

XX.     Church  Erection  Society 155 

XXI.     Printing  Establishment  and  Church  Pub- 
lication     1(50 

Printing  Establishment    160 

Church    Publications    162 

XXII.     Education    _^164 

Constitution  of  the  Board  of  Education.  .  164 

Academies 168 

Colleges   168 

Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary 169 

XXIII.     Historical  Society  173 

General  Conference  Approval 173 

Constitution    173 


Vlll. 


CONTENTS 


PART  VII. 

BOUNDARIES. 
CHAPTER  PAGE 

XXIV.     Bishops'  Districts   .* 177 

XXV.     Annual-Conference  Districts   178 

Foreign  Mission  Conferences   187 

PART  VIII. 

FORMULAS    AND    FORMS. 

XXVI.     Formulas     188 

Reception  of  Members   188 

The  Baptism  of  Adults   189 

The  Baptism  of  Children    190 

The  Holy  Communion   190 

Ordination  of  Elders   191 

Consecration  of  a  Home  Missionary    ....  193 

Consecration  of  a  Foreign  Missionary  .  . .  194 

Consecration  of  a  Deaconess    19G 

Laying  Corner-Stone    198 

Cliurch  Dedication    198 

Parsonage    Dedication    202 

Marriage  Ceremony    204 

Marriage  Ceremony  with   Ring    204 

Burial  of  the  Dead  206 

The  Lord's  Prayer   207 

The  Apostles'  Creed   207 

XXVII.     Forms     208 

Certificates  and  Licenses 208 

Bequests    210 

Reports    212 

Contribution  Cards 222 

General  Conference  Resolutions 228 

General  Officers  and  Standing  Commissions  224 

Index    227 


DISCIPLINE 


PART  I 

The  Church. 
CHAPTER  I. 

Origin  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

In  the  eighteenth  century  it  pleased  the  Lord  our  God  to 
awaken  persons  in  different  parts  of  the  world  who  should 
raise  up  the  Christian  religion  from'  its  fallen  state  and 
preach  the  gospel  of  Christ  crucified  in  its  purity. 

About  the  middle  of  said  century,  the  Lord,  in  mercy, 
remembered  the  Germans  in  America,  who,  living  scat* 
tered  in  this  extensive  country,  seldom  had  an  opportunity 
to  hear  the  gospel  of  a  crucified  Savior  preached  to  them 
in  their  native  language. 

Among  others,  he  raised  up  William  Otterbein  and 
Martin  Boehm,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  George 
A.  Guething,  in  the  State  of  Maryland,  armed  them  with 
i^pirit,  grace,  and  strength  to  labor  in  his  neglected  vine- 
yard, and  to  call,  among  the  Germans  in  America,  sinners 
to  repentance.  These  men  obeyed  the  call  of  their  Lord 
and  Master.  Their  labors  were  blessed,  and  they  estab- 
lished in  many  places  excellent  societies  and  led  many 
precious  souls  to  Jesus  Christ.  Their  sphere  of  action 
spread  more  and  more,  so  that  they  found  it  necessary  to 
look  about  for  more  fellow-laborers  to  toil  in  the  vineyard 
of  the  Lord ;  for  the  harvest  was  great  and  the  laborers 
were  few.  The  Lord  called  others,  who  were  willing  to 
devote  theitr  sti-ength  to  his  service.  Such  persons  were 
accepted  by  one  or  another  of  the  preachers  as  fellow- 
laborers. 

The  number  of  members  in  the  society  in  different  parts 
of  the  country  continued  to  increase  as  time  passed,  and 
the  gracious  work  of  reformation  spread  througli  the 
States  of  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and  Virginia.  Several 
great  meetings  were  appointed  and  held  annually.  On 
such  occasions  Otterbein  would  hold  particular  conver- 
sations with  the  preachers  then  present,  and  represent  to 
them   the  importance  of  the  ministry  and   the   necessity   of 

9 


10  DISCIPLINE 

their  utmost  endeavors  to  save  souls.  At  one  of  these  meet- 
ings it  was  resolved  to  hold  a  conference  of  all  the  preacli- 
ers,  in  order  to  consider  in  what  manner  they  might  be 
most  useful. 

The  first  conference  was  held  iii  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1789.  The  following 
preachers  were  present: 

William  Otterbein,  Adam  Lehman, 

Martin  Boehm,  John  Ernst, 

Geo.  a.  Guething,  Henry  Weidnee. 

Christian  Newcomer. 

The  second  conference  was  held  in  Paradise  Township, 
York  County,  Pennsylvania,  at  the  house  of  Brother 
John  Spangler,  in  the  year  of  ouri  Lord  1791.  The  fol- 
lowing preachers  were  present : 

William  Otterbein,  John  Ernst, 

Martin  Boehm,  J.  G.  Pfrimmer, 

Geo.  a.  Guething,  John  Neidig, 

Christian  Newcomer,  Benedict  Sanders, 

Adam  Lehman. 

After  mature  deliberations  as  to  how  they  might  labor 
tnost  usefully  iin  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  they  again  ap- 
pointed as  fellow-laborers  such  as  they  had  come  to.  be- 
lieve had  experienced  true  religion  in  their  souls. 

Meantime,  the  number  of  members  continued  to  increase, 
and  the  preachers  were  obliged  to  appoint  an  annual  con- 
ference, in  order  to  unite  themselves  more  closely  and  to 
labor  more  successfully  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord ;  for 
•some  had  been  Presbyterians  or  German  Reformed,  some 
Lutherans,  and  others  Mennonites,  They  accordingly  ap- 
pointed a  conference  to  be  held  on  the  25th  of  September, 
1800,  in  Frederick  County,  Maryland,  at  the  house  of 
Brother  Frederick  Kemp.  The  following  preachers  were 
present : 

William  Otterbein,  Christian  Krum, 

Martin  Boehm,  Henry  Krum, 

Geo.  Guething,  John  Hershey, 

Christian  Newcomer,  Jacob  Geisinger, 

Adam  Lkhman,  Henry  Boehm, 

Abraham  Troxel,  Dietrich  Aurand, 
J.  G.  Pfrimmer. 


ORIGIN    OF    THE    CHURCH  11 

There  they  united  themselves  into  a  society  which  bears 
the  name  "United  Brethren  in  Christ,"  and  elected 
William  Otterbein  and  Martin  Boehm  as  superintend- 
ents, or  bishops,  and  agreed  that  each  of  them  should 
have  liberty  as  to  the  mode  of  baptism,  to  administer  it 
according  to  his  own  convictions. 

From  this  time,  the  society  increasing  still  more  and 
more,  preachers  were  appointed  to  travel  regularly,  as  the 
number  of  preaching-places  could  not  otherwise  be  sup- 
plied. The  work  soon  extended  itnto  the  States  of  Ohio  and 
Kentucky.  It  then  became  necessary  to  appoint  a  con- 
ference in  the  State  of  Ohio,  because  it  was  thought  loo 
laborious  for  the  preachers  who  labored  in  those  States 
to  travel  annually  such  a  great  distance  to  conference. 

Meantime,  Martin  Boehm  and  George  A.  Guething 
died,  and  Bishop  Otterbein  desired  that  another  bisliop 
should  be  elected  (because  infirmity  and  old  age  would 
not  permit  him  to  superintend  any  longer,)  who  should 
take  charge  of  the  society,  and  preserve  discipline  and 
order.  It  was  resolved  at  a  former  conference  that  when- 
ever one  of  the  bishops  died  another  should  be  elected  in 
his  place.  Accordingly,  Christian  Newcomer  was  elected 
bishop,  to  take  charge  of  and  superintend  the  concerns  of 
the  society. 

The  want  of  a  book  of  discipline  in  the  society  had  long 
been  deeply  felt.  Partial  attempts  to  provide  one  had  been 
made  at  different  times.  Hence  it  was  resolved,  at  the 
conference  held  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  that  a  General  Con- 
ference should  be  held,  in  order  to  provide  the  same,  in  a 
manner  not  derogatory  to  the  Word  of  God.  The  members 
of  this  conference-  were  to  be  elected  from  among  the 
preachers  in  the  different  parts  of  the  country  by  a  vote 
of  the  society  in  general.  The  following  brethren  were  duly 
elected : 

Christian  Newcomer,  Daniel  Troyer,        , 

Abraham  Hiestand,  George  Benedum, 

Andrew  Zeller,  Abraham  Troxel, 

Christian  Berger,  Henry  G.  Spayth, 

Abraham  Mayer,  I.  Nis wander, 

John  Schneider,  Christian  Krum, 

Henry  Kumler,  Jacob  Bowlus. 

The  conference  convened  on  the  Gth  of  June,  1815,  near 
Mt.   Pleasant,  Westmore'iand   County,   Pennsylvania.     After 


12  DISCIPLINE 

mature  deliberation,  they  presented  to  their  brethren  a 
Book  of  Discipline,  containing  the  doctrine  and  rules  of 
the  Church,  desiring  that  these,  together  with  the  Word 
of  God,  should  be  strictly  observed,  and  admonishing  the 
membership  in  the  following  manner : 

God  is  a  God  of  order ;  but  where  there  is  no  order  and 
no  church  discipline,  the  spirit  of  love  and  charity  will  be 
lost. 

Therefore,  brethren,  we  beseech  you  to  follow  the  ex- 
ample of  our  Lord,  as  it  is  written,  "Be  kindly  afifectioned 
one  to  another  with  brotherly  love ;  in  honor  preferring 
one  another."  Let  the  mind  be  in  you  which  was  in 
Christ,  who  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant,  hum- 
bled himself,  and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the 
death  of  the  cross,  that  by  bis  grace  we  may  submit  our- 
selves one  to  another  in  the  fear  of  God.  He  who  will  not 
submit  is  in  want  of  humble  love.  Jesus  said,  "Whosoever 
of  you  will  be  the  chiefest,  shall  be  servant  of  all."  "By 
this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  have 
love  one  to  another."  "He  that  loveth  not  his  brother 
abideth  in  death."  Let  us  walk  in  newness  of  life,  that 
the  prayer  of  our  Lord  may  be  answered  in  us ;  that"  we 
may  be  one  in  him,  and  that  he  may  give  us  the  glory 
which  he  gave  to  his  disciples,  that  we  may  be  one,  even 
as  he  and  the  Father  are  one.  Therefore,  beloved  breth- 
ren, let  us  strive  to  be  like-minded,  having  the  same  love, 
being  of  one  accord,  of  one  mind.  Let  no  one  speak  or 
think  evil  of  his  brother  but  pray  God  that  he  may  grant 
ns  his  spirit,  and  an  earnest  desire  to  lead  a  truly  devoted 
life,  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  his  holy  name.     Amen. 


Editor's  Note. — The  foregoing  account  of  the  origin  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  appeared  in  the 
Discipline  of  1815,  the  first  Discipline  published.  Only  the 
slightest  changes  in  phraseology,  as  tlie  years  have  passed,  have 
been  made.  The  place  of  the  Conference  of  1800.  given  as 
Frederick  Kemp's,  is  the  same  as  the  residence  of  Peter  Kemp, 
as  in  the  history  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  the  two  men 
being  father  and  son,  and  tlie  farm  passing  from  the  possession 
of  one  to  that  of  the  otlier.  The  present  Discipline  conraias 
the  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Constitution  as  amended  ac- 
cording to  the  action  of  the  General  Conference  of  1885.  and 
approved  and  confirmed  by  the  General  Conference  of  1889. 
The  Confession  of  Faith  appeared  in  its  first  printed  form  in 
1S15.  The  Constitution,  in  its  earlier  form,  was  adopted  in 
1841. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Confession  of  Faith. 

In  the  name  of  God,  we  declare  and  confess  before  all 
men  the  following  articles  of  our  belief : 

AETICLE    I. 

Of    God    and    the    Holy    Trinity. 
We  believe   in   the  only   true   God,   the   Father,   the   Son, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost ;  that  these  three  are  one — the  Father 
in   the   Son,   the   Son   in   the   Father,   and   the   Holy   Ghost 
equal  in  essence  or  being  with  the  Father  and  the  Son. 

ARTICLE    II. 

Of  Creation  and  Providence. 

AYe  believe  that  this  triune  God  created  the  heavens  and 
the  earth,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  visible  and  invisible ; 
that  he  sustains,  protects,  and  governs  these,  with  gra- 
cious regard  for  the  welfare  of  man,  to  the  glory  of  his 
name. 

ARTICLE    III. 

Of  Jesus  Christ. 
We  believe  in  Jesus  Christ ;  that  he  is  very  God  and 
man  ;  that  he  became  incarnate  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  was  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary ;  that  he  is  the 
Savior  and  Mediator  of  the  whole  human  race,  if  they 
with  full  faith  accept  the  grace  proffered  in  Jesus ;  that 
this  Jesus  suffered  and  died  on  the  cross  for  us,  was  bur- 
ied, rose  again  on  the  third  day.  ascended  into  heaven, 
and  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God,  to  intercede  for  us ; 
and  that  he  will  come  again  at  the  last  day  to  judge  the 
living  and   the  dead. 

ARTICLE    IV. 

Of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

We  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost ;  that  he  is  equal  in  be- 
ing with  the  Father  and  the  Son ;  that  he  convinces  the 
world  of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of  judgment ;  that  he 
comforts  the  faithful  and  guides  them  into  all  truth. 

13 


14  DISCIPLINE 

ARTICLE  V. 

Of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

We  believe  that  the  Holj^  Bible,  Old  and  New  Testa- 
niejits,  is  the  word  of  God ;  that  it  reveals  the  only  true 
way  to  our  salvation ;  that  every  true  Christian  is  bound 
to  acknowledge  and  receive  it  by  the  help  of  the  Sp'rit  of 
God  as  the  only  role  and  guide  in  faith  and  practice. 

ARTICLE   VI. 

Of  the  Church. 

We  believe  in  a  holy  Christian  church,  composed  of  true 
believers,  in  which  the  word  of  God  is  preached  by  roen 
divinely  called,  and  the  ordinances  are  duly  admiBiistered ; 
that  this  divine  institution  is  for  the  maintenance  of  wor- 
ship, for  the  edification  of  believers,  and  the  conversion  of 
the  world  to  Christ. 

ARTICLE    VII. 

Of  the  Sacraments. 

We  believe  that  the  sacraments,  Baptism  and  the  Lord's 
Supper,  are  to  be  used  in  the  Church,  and  should  be  prac- 
ticed by  all  Christians ;  but  the  mode  of  baptism  and  the 
manner  of  observing  the  Lord's  Supper  are  always  to  be 
left  to  the  judgment  and  untlerstanding  of  each  imdividual. 
Also,  the  baptism  of  children  shall  be  left  to  the  judg- 
ment of  believing  parents. 

The  example  of  the  washing  of  feet  is  to  be  left  to  tht 
judgment  of  each  one,  to  practice  or  not. 

ABTICLE  VIII. 

Of  Depravity. 
We  believe  that  man  is  fallen  from  original  r'jghteous- 
ness,  and,  apart  from  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
is  not  only  entirely  destitute  of  holiness,  but  is  inclined  to 
evil,  and  only  evi'l,  and  that  continually ;  and  that  except 
a  man  be  bora  again  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

ARTICLE   IX. 

Of  Justification. 
We  believe  that  penitent  sinners  are  justified  before  God 
only  by  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  not  by  works  ; 
yet  that  good  works  in  Christ  are  acceptable  to   God,  and 
spring  out  of  a  true  and  living  fai<"h. 


CONFESSION    OF    FAITH  1?S 

ARTICLE    X. 

Of  Regeneration  and  Adoption. 
We  believe  that  regeneration  is  the  renewal  of  the  heart 
of  man  after  the  image  of  God,  through  the  word,  by  the 
act  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  which  the  believer  receives  the 
spirit  of  adoption,  and  is  enabled  to  serve  God  with  the 
will  and  the  affections. 

ARTICLE    XI. 

Of  Sanctification. 

We  believe  that  sanctification  is  the  work  of  God's 
grace,  through  the  word  and  the  Spirit,  by  which  those 
who  have  been  born  again  are  separated  in  their  acts, 
words,  and  thoughts  from  sin,  and  are  enabled  to  live 
unto  God,  and  to  follow  holiness,  without  which  no  man 
shall  see  the  Lord. 

ARTICLE   XII. 

Of  the  Christian  Sahhath. 
We  believe  that  the  Christian  Sabbath  is  divinely  ap- 
pointed ;  that  it  is  commemorative  of  our  Lord's  resurrec- 
tion from  the  grave  and  is  an  emblem  of  our  eternal  rest  •, 
that  it  iis  essential  to  the  welfare  of  the  civil  community, 
and  to  the  permanence  and  growth  of  the  Christian  church, 
and  that  it  should  be  reverently  observed  as  a  day  of  holy 
rest  and  of  social  and  public  worship. 

ARTICLE    XIII. 

Of   the  Future   State. 
We   believe   in   the    resurrection   of   the   dead ;   the   future 
general    judgment ;    and    an    eternal    state    of    rewards,    in 
which  the  righteous  dwell  in  endless  life,  and  the  wicked  in 
endless  punishment. 


CHAPTER  III. 
Constitution. 

In  the  name  of  God,  we,  the  members  of  the  Church  of 
THE  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  for  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ,  for  the 
more  speedy  and  effectual  spread  of  the  gospel,  and  in 
order  to  produce  and  secure  uniformity  in  faith  and  prac- 
tilce,  to  define  the  powers  and  business  of  the  General  Con- 
ference as  recognized  by  this  Church,  and  to  preserve  in- 
violate the  popular  will  of  the  membership  of  the  Church, 
do  ordain  this  Constitution  : 

article  I. 

Section  1.  All  ecclesiastical  power  herein  granted  to 
enact  or  repeal  any  rule  or  rules  of  Discipline  is  vested  in 
a  General  Conference  which  shall  consist  of  elders  and 
laymen  elected  in  each  annual-conference  district  through- 
out the  Church.  The  number  and  ratio  of  elders  and  lay- 
men, and  the  mode  of  their  election,  shall  be  determined 
by  the  General  Conference. 

Provided,  hotvever,  That  such  elders  shall  have  stood  as 
leaders  in  the  conferences  which  they  are  to  represent  for 
no  less  time  than  three  years  next  preceding  the  meeting 
of  the  General  Conference  to  which  they  are  elected ;  and 
that  such  laymen  shall  be  not  less  than  twenty-five  years 
of  age,  and  shall  have  been  members  of  the  Church  six 
years,  and  members  in  the  conference  districts  which  they 
are  to  represent  at  least  three  years  next  preceding  the 
meeting  of  the  General  Conference  to  which  they  are  elected. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Conference  shall  convene  every  four 
years,  and  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  delegates 
elected  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Sec.  3.  The  ministerial  and  lay  delegates  shall  delib- 
erate and  vote  together  as  one  body ;  but  the  General  Con- 
ference shall  have  power  to  provide  for  a  vote  by  separate 
orders  whenever  it  deems  it  best  to  do  so ;  and  in  such 
cases  the  concurrent  vote  of  both  orders  shall  be  necessary 
to  complete  an  action. 

16 


CONSTITUTION  17 

Sec.  4.  The  General  Conference  shall  at  such  session, 
elect  bishops  from  among  the  elders  throughout  the  Church 
who  have  stood  silx  years  in  that  capacity. 

Sec.  5.  The  bishops  shall  be  members  ex  officio  and  pre- 
siding officers  of  the  General  Conference ;  but  in  case  no 
bishop  be  present,  the  Conference  shall  choose  a  president 
pro  tern. 

Sec.  6.  The  General  Conference  shall  determine  the 
number  and  boundaries  of  the  annual  cojifereuces. 

Sec.  7.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to 
review  the  records  of  the  annual  conferences  and  see  that 
the  business  of  each  annual  conference  is  done  strictly  in 
accordance  with  the  Discipline,  and  approve  or  annul,  as 
the  case  may  require. 

Sec.  8.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  full  control 
of  the  United  Brethren  Printing  Establishment,  the  Home , 
Missionary  Society  and  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society 
(legal  successors  to  the  Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ),  the 
Church  Erection  Society,  the  General  Sabbath  School  Board, 
the  Board  of  Education,  and  the  Bonebrake  Theological  Sem- 
inary. It  shall  also  have  power  to  establish  and  manage 
any  other  organization  or  institution  within  the  Church 
which  it  may  deem  helpful  in  the  work  of  evangelisation. 

Sec.  9.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to  es- 
tablish a  court  of  appeals. 

Sec.  10.  The  General  Conference  may — two- thirds  of  the 
members  elected  thereto  concurring — propose  changes  in.  or 
additions  to  the  Confession  of  Faith ;  provided,  that  the 
concurrence  of  three-fourths  of  the  annual  conferences  sb.all 
be  necessary  to  their  final  ratilfication. 

article  II. 

The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  as  provided 
in  Article  I.,  Section  1,  of  this  Constitution,  to  make  rules 
and  regulations  for  the  Church ;  nevertheless,  it  shall  be 
subject  to  the  following  limiitations  and  restrictions  : 

Section  1.  The  General  Conference  shall  enact  no  rule 
or  ordinance  which  will  change  or  destroy  the  Confession 
of  Faith,  and  shall  establish  no  standard  of  doctrine  con- 
trary to  the  Confession  of  Faith. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Conference  shall  enact  no  rule 
which  wiil  destroy  the  itinerant  plan. 


18  DISCIPLINE 

Sec.  3.  The  General  Conference  shall  enact  no  rule 
which  will  deprive  local  preachers  of  their  votes  in  the 
annual  conferences  to  v^hich   they  severally  belong. 

Sec.  4.  The  General  Conference  shall  enact  no  rule 
which  will  abolish  the  right  of  appeal. 

I 

article    III. 

Section  1.  We  declare  that  all  secret  combinations  which 
infringe  upon  the  rights  of  those  outside  their  organi- 
zation and  whose  principles  and  practices  are  injurious 
to  the  Christian  character  of  their  members  are  contrary 
to  the  Word  of  God,  and  that  Christians  ought  to  have  no 
connection    with    them. 

T^e  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to  enact  such 
rules  of  discipline  with  respect  to  such  combinations  as  in 
its  judgment  it  may  deem  proper. 

Sec.  2.  We  declare  that  human  slavery  is  a  violation 
■of  human  rights  and  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God.  It  shall 
therefore  in  no  wise  be  tolerated  among  us. 

article  iv. 
The  right,  title,  interest,  and  claim  of  all  property,  both 
real  and  personal,  of  whatever  name  or  description,  ob- 
tained by  purchase  or  otherwise,  by  any  person  or  per- 
sons, for  the  use,  benefit,  and  behoof  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  are  hereby  fully  recognized,  and 
held  to  vest  in  the  Church  aforesaid. 

article  v. 

Section  1.  Amendments  to  this  Constitution  may  be 
proposed  by  any  General  Conference, — two-thirds  of  the 
members  elected  thereto  concurring, — which  amendments 
shall  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  membership  throughout 
the  Church,  under  regulations  authorized  by  said  confer- 
ence. 

A  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  upon  any  submitted 
amendment  shall  be  necessary  to  its  final  ratification. 

Sec.  2.  The  foregoing  amended  Constitution  shall  be  in 
force  from  and  after  the  first  Monday  after  the  second 
Thursday  of  May,  1889,  upon  ofiicial  proclamation  there- 
of by  the  Board  of  Bishops ;  provided  that  the  General 
Conference  elected  for  1889  shall  be  the  lawful  legislative 
body  under  the  amended  Constitution,  with  tull  power,  un- 
til itts  final  adjournment  to  enact  such  rules  as  this  amended 
Constitution  authorizes. 


PART  II 

Membership,  Government,  and  Ministry 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Members 
Section  I. 

RECEPTION    OF    MEMBERS. 

1.  When  at  any  meeting  there  are  persons  who  desire 
to  unite  with  the  Church,  the  officiating  minister  shall 
call  the  applicants  forward  and  address  them  as  follows : 

Dear  Friends  :  Inasmuch  as  you  present  yourselves  for 
admission  '  into  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  we  rejoice  with  you  that  through  the  grace  of  God 
you  have  been  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and 
have  been  made  partakers  of  his  great  salvation.  The 
privileges  you  seek  are  above  price,  and  the  duties  enjoined 
are  solemn.  It  is  proper  that  you  publicly  confess  your 
faith  and  avow  your  purpose  by  answering  the  following 
questions : 

Questions  to  Applicants. 

2.  (1)  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God, 
and  that  therein  only  is  contained  the  knowledge  of  the 
way  of  salvation? 

(2)  Do  you  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God, 
and  do  you  accept  him  as  your  personal  Savior? 

(3)  Are  you  determined  by  the  grace  of  God  to  follow 
Christ,  renouncing  the  world  and  all  ungodliness,  seeking 
to  lead  a  life  of  holiness  and  devotion  to  God  and  his  cause? 

(4)  Are  you  willing  to  be  governed  by  our  Church 
Discipline,  and  will  you  contribute  to  the  support  of  the 
gospel  as  God  prospers  you? 

(5)  Have  you  been  baptized? 

[If  the  answer  to  this  question  be  in  the  negative,  then 
the  'applilcant  shall  be  instructed  to  attend  to  the  duty  as 
soon  as  practicable.] 

Acceptance  of  Applicants. 

3.  If  the  persons  answer  the  above  questions  in  the 
affirmative,  and  no  lawful  objections  be  made  by  any  mem- 

19 


20  DISCIPLINE 

ber,  then  the  preacher  shall  give  his  right  h'ancl  to  such 
persons  as  members  of  our  Church.  Then  the  members  of 
the  Church  will  stand,  and  the  minister  will '  repeat  this 
covenant  as  follows :  "Do  you,  the  members  of  the  Church 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  enter  into  a  covenant 
with  this  applicant  [or  these  applicants]  for  membership, 
and  promise  to  watch  over,  instruct,  counsel,  and  cherish 
him  [or  her  or  them]  with  all  long-suffering,  gentleness,  and 
love?"  The  Church  will  then  answer,  "Bj^  the  grace  of  God, 
we  will.-'  After  which  the  hand  of  fellowship  luay  be 
extended.  The  preacher  shall  then  register  the  names  of 
the  appointed  members  in  the  Church  record. 

Committee  on  Applicants  for  Membership. 

4.  A  local  church,  when  it  deems  it  advisable  for  its  pro- 
tection against  imposition,  may  appoint  a  commiittee  on 
applicants  for  membership,  who,  together  w^ith  the  pastor, 
may  make  inquaiT  as  to  the  advisability  of  admitting  such 
applicants  to  membership  in  the  Church  according  to  the 
foregoing  requirements. 

Receiving  Children. 

5.  Believing  according  to  the  teaching  of  Jesus,  that 
little  children  are  in  the  "Kingdom  of  Heaven",  pastors  are 
authorized  to  enroll  children  under  the  watch  care  of  the 
Cliurch  when  parents  so  desire,  and  to  receive  into  full 
membership  children  who  publicly  confess  Christ  as  their 
Savior. 

Pastors  are  required  to  instruct  chiidren  in  the  word  of 
God  and  the  principles  and  duties  of  the  Christian  life. 

Receiving   Persons   from    Other    Churches. 

6.  When  persons  come  to  us  with  certificates  of  good 
standing  in  other  recognized  evangelical  churches  they  shall 
answer  the  fourth  question  affirmatively,  and  the  hand  of 
fellowship  may  be  given  them  as  in  other  cases. 

Seekers. 

7.  Any  persons  giving  evidence  that  they  are  sincerely 
seeking  the  Lord  may  be  received  under  the  watch  care  of 
the  Church  by  having  their  names  placed  upon  the  church 
book,  but  shall  not  be  reported  as  members,  nor  shall  they 
have  a  vote  in  the  Church  until  they  shall  have  conformed 
to  the  conditions  in  this  section  relating  to  the  reception 
of  members. 


MEMBERS  21 

8.  If  any  person  thus  received  under  the  watch  care  of 
the  Church  shall  cease  to  manifest  a  desire  to  seek  the 
Lord,  the  preacher  ita  charge,  bj^  the  consent  of  the  local 
church  or  the  official  board,  may,  at  any  time,  after  per- 
sonal but  unsuccessful  labor  for  his  salvation,  drop  the 
name  of  such  seeker. 

Preacher' s  Responsibility, 

9.  x\ny  preacher  refusing  or  neglecting  to  ask  the  fore- 
going questions,  except  in  the  case  of  children,  or  who  shall 
receiK'e  members  into  the  Church  in  violation  of  this  order, 
shall  be  answerable  for  the  same  to  the  conference  of 
which  he  is  a  member. 


Section  II. 

DUTIES  OF  MEMBERS. 

Means  of  Grace. 

1.  Every  member  shall  endeavor  to  lead  a  godly  life ; 
observe  the  ordinances  of  God's  house,  namely,  baptism  and 
the  remembrance  of  the  sufferings  and  death  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ ;  be  diligent  in  prayer,  particularly  in  private, 
and  for  h:B  own  edification  attend  our  prayer  and  class- 
meetings  and  meetings  for  public  worship. 

Family  Piety. 

2.  Heads  of  families  should  never  omit  to  pray  with 
their  families,  morniiQg  and  evening,  and  to  set  them  a 
good  example  in  all  the  Christian  virtues. 

Singing. 

3.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  the  people  of  God  to  sing  his 
praises  and  to  sing  them  in-  the  great  congregation  as  well 
as  in  the  private  circle.  It  is  therefore  earnestly  advised 
that  all  our  people  cultivate  vocal  music  so  that  the  sing- 
ing in  our  congregations  may  be  improved.  As  a  help  to 
th:»s  end,  let  all  our  people  provide  themselves  with  hymn- 
books  for  use  in  public  and  social  worship. 

Love  to  Others. 

4.  Every  one  should  strive  to  walk  as  in  the  presence 
of  God,  and  accustom  himself  to  a  close  communion  with 
God  in  all  his  employments.  He  should  never  speak  evil 
of  his  fellow   men  but  practice  love  toward  friend   and  foe. 


22  DISCIPLINE 

do  good  to  the  poor,  and  endeavor  to  be  a  follower  of  Jesus 
Christ  indeed. 

Sahhath  Observance. 

5.  Every  one  shall  keep  the  Sabbath  day  holy,  as  re- 
quired in  the  Word  of  God;  neither  buy  nor  sell  but  spend 
the  same  in  exercises  of  devotion,  in  reading  and  hearing 
the  Word  of  God,  and  in  singing  spiritual  hymns  to  the 
honor  and  glory  of  God. 

Obedience  to  Government. 

6.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  member  to  lead  a  quiet, 
peaceable,  and  godly  life  among  men ;  as  it  becomes  a 
Christian  to  live  in  peace  and  be  subject  to  the  higher  or 
ruling  powers,   as  the  Word  of  God  requires. 

Sahhath  Schools. 

7.  It  !(s  the  duty  of  our  members  to  encourage  our  Sab- 
bath schools  by  their  presence,  and  always  to  give  them 
their  aid  and  influence. 

Young  People's  Society. 

8.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  young  members  of  the  Church 
to  join  the  Young  People's  Society  and  by  faithfulness  to  its 
requirements  seek  to  develop  Christian  character  and  eflS- 
ciency  in  Christian  work. 

Support  of  the  Gospel. 

9.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  members  of  the  Church  to  pay  to- 
ward the  support  of  the  itinerant  ministry,  weekly,  monthly, 
or  quarterly,  in  proportion  to  their  ability,  as  God  has  pros- 
pered them ;  for  the  Lord  hath  ordained  that  they  who  preach 
the  gospel  shall  live  of  the  gospel.  (I.  Cor.  9 :  14 ;  I.  Tim. 
5:18.)  It  is  earnestly  urged  that  all  our  people  practice 
the  Bible  method  of  weekly  contributions.  "Upon  the  first 
day  of  the  week  let  every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store, 
as  God  hath  prospered  him."    (I.  Cor.  16:2.) 

Delinquent  Memhers. 

10.  Any  member  refusing  to  pay  toward  the  support  of 
the  Church  may  be  reported  by  the  stew^ard  to  the  class  or 
oflBcial  board,  and  if  refusal  is  persisted  in,  may  be  susfpended 
or  expelled,  as  the  local  church  or  official  board  may  de- 
termine.    In  case  a  member  is  suspended,  all  his  privileges 


MEMBERS  23 

and  functions  as  a  member  of  the  Church  cease  during  such 
suspension. 

Support  of  General  Interests. 

11.  It  is  also  the  duty  of  all  our  members  to  contribute, 
according  to  their  ability,  to  the  support  of  the  various 
benevolent  interests  of  the  Church. 

Receiving  Ministers. 

12.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  districts,  stations,  circuits,  and 
missions  cheerfully  to  receive  the  preachers  appointed  by 
the  stationing  committees  of  the  respective  annual  con- 
ferences. 

Care  of  the  Poor. 

13.  Each  member  of  our  Church  should  willingly  and 
freely  contribute  quarterly,  or  oftener  if  need  be,  as  God 
has  prospered  him  (I.  Cor.  16:2),  to  the  support  of  the 
helpless   poor. 

14.  When  it  is  known  by  any  of  our  class-leaders 
that  there  are  poor  members  of  the  class,  who  by  sick- 
ness, accident,  or  other  circumstances  have  been  brought 
to  want,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  leader  in  charge 
to  wait  upon  the  class,  or  to  appoint  some  one  to  do  so,  to 
ask  such  aid,  money,  clothing,  or  produce,  as  the  circum- 
stances may  require.  Should  any  one  class  be  unable  to 
relieve  its  poor,  this  shall  then  be  made  known  to  the  pas- 
tor, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  inform  the  different  classes 
on  his  charge ;  and  if  iit  should  so  happen  that  ainy  one 
charge  should  be  unable  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  poor,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  conference  superintendent. to  present 
the  matter  to  the  quarterly  conferences  of  the  different 
charges,  so  that  the  unavoidably  poor  of  our  Church  may  be 
provided  for.     (I.  John  3 :  17 ;  Ps.  12:  1,  2.) 

Nonconformity  to  the  World. 

15.  Inasmuch  as  the  Lord  has  commanded  us  not  to  be 
conformed  to  this  world  (Rom.  12:2),  to  lay  apart  all 
filthiness  and  superfluity  of  naughtiness  (Jas.  1:21),  and 
as  the  principles  of  the  Christian  religion,  as  taught  by 
both  the  precepts  and  example  of  the  meek  and  adorable 
Savior,  are  in  strict  and  perfect  accordance  with  these 
commandments,  we  therefore  humbly  beseech  and  admonish 
the  members  of  our  Church  to  observe  these  divine  precepts. 


24  DISCIPLINE 

"In  like  manner,  also,  that  women  adorn  themselves  i^ 
modest  apparel,  with  shamefacedness  and  sobriety ;  not 
with  broi-dered  hair,  or  gold,  or  pearls,  or  costly  array; 
but  (which  becometh  women  professing  godliness)  with 
good  works"  (I.  Tim.  2:9,  10)  ;  and  "whose  adorning  let 
it  not  be  that  outward  adorning  of  plaiting  the  hair,  and 
of  wearing  of  gold,  or  of  putting  on  of  apparel ;  but  let  it 
be  the  hMden  man  of  the  heart,  in  that  which  is  not  cor- 
ruptible, even  the  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit, 
which  is  in  the  sight  of  God  of  great  price"  (I.  Pet.  3: 
3,  4). 

Necessity  of  Union  Among  Ourselves. 

16.  Let  us  be  deeply  sensible  of  the  evil  of  a  difvision  in 
principle,  spirit,  or  practice,  and  of  its  dreadful  conse- 
quences to  ourselves  and  others.  If  we  are  united,  what 
can  stand  before  us?  If  we  are  divided,  we  shall  injure 
ourselves,  the  work  of  God,  and  the  souls  of  men.  To  this 
end : 

(1)  Let  us  be  deeply  convinced  of  the  absolute  neces- 
sity of  union. 

(2)  Let  us  pray  earnestly  for  one  another,  and  speak 
truly  and  freely  to  one  another. 

(3)  When  we  meet,  let  us  never  part  without  prayer, 
if  prayer  is  at  all  practicable. 

(4)  Let  us  take  great  care  not  to  despise  one  another's 
gifts. 

(5)  Let  us  never  speak  lightly  of  one  another. 

(6)  Let  us  defend  one  another's  character  in  every- 
thing, as  far  as  is  consistent  with  truth. 

(7)  Let  us  labor  in  honor  each  preferring  another  be- 
fore himself. 

(8)  Let  us  seriously  examine  the  causes,  evils,  and 
cures  of  heart  and  church   divisions. 

Duty  of  Obedience. 

17.  The  foregoing  rules  are  drawn  up  for  the  better 
regulation  of  our  Church  ;  and  we  believe  they  are  founded 
upon  the  Word  of  God,  and  that  their  observance  is  incum- 
bent upon  all  members.  Should  any  violate  or  habitually 
neglect  these  rules,  they  shall  be,  by  their  respective  class- 
leaders,  admonished  to  reformation ;  and  should  they  not 
reform,  they  shall  be  suspended  or  expelled,  as  the  case 
may  require,  by  vote  of  the  local  church  or  official  board. 


MEMBERS  25 

Section  III. 

TRIAL  OF   MEMBERS. 

Personal    Trespass. 

1.  When  members  trespass  against  one  another,  let  the 
following  directions  be  followed : 

"  If  thy  brother  shall  trespass  against  thee,  go  and  tell 
him  his  fault  between  thee  and  him  alone ;  if  he  shall  hear 
thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy  brother.  But  if  he  will  not  hear 
thee,  then  take  with  thee  one  or  two  more  .  .  .  And 
if  he  shall  neglect  to  hear  them,  tell  it  unto  the  church ; 
but  if  he  neglect  to  hear  the  church,  let  him  be  unto  thee  as 
an  heathen  man  and  a  publican"  (Matt.  18:15-17);  that 
is,  he  shall  be  expelled  by  the  local  church  or  official  board. 

Immoral  Conduct. 

2.  In  case  of  a  member  accused  of  immoral  conduct, 
the  class  or  official  board  shall  appoint  one  or  more  to 
visit  the  accused  person,  and,  if  possible  reclaim  him;  but  if 
unsuccessful,  and  the  guilt  be  denied,  he  shall  be  tried  by  a 
committee  of  said  class  or  board  chosen  by  the  parties  con- 
cerned, with  the  preacher  in  charge  of  the  circuit  or  station 
as  chairman ;  and  if  found  guilty,  the  accused  shall  be  ex- 
pelled unless  satisfaction  be  given.  If  the  accused  refuse 
to  choose  his  committeeman  when  properly  notified,  the 
quarterly  conference  shall  choose  a  second  person,  and  these 
two  a  third,  which  committee  shall  try  the  ease  and  de- 
cide. Yet  cases  may  occur  where  it  would  be  expedient 
to  choose  a  committee  from  some  other  class  or  classes 
than  the  one  to  which  the  parties  belong;,  in  which 
case  it  shall  be  lawful  to  do  so.  Also,  an  elder  may  be 
chosen  as  chairman,  should  the  preacher  in  charge  deem 
this  to  be  best.  Should  any  member  be  dissatisfied  with  the 
decision,  an  appeal  may  be  had  to  the  quarterly  conference, 
by  giving  notice  thereof  to  the  preacher  in  charge,  or  sec- 
retary of  the  committee.  (See  Chapter  X.,  Section  I.,  page 
84.)  In  such  cases,  however,  the  same  persons  shall  not 
sit  in  judgment  on  the  same  case. 

Disobedience  to  the  Order  of  the  Vhurch. 

3.  In  cases  of  neglect  of  duty  of  any  kind,  imprudent 
conduct,  indulging  sinful  tempers  or  words,  or  disobedience 
to  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  Church :  First,  let  pri- 
vate   reproof   be   given    by    the   preacher   or  leader;   and   if 


26  DISCIPLINE 

there  be  an  acknowledgment  of  the  fault,  proper  humiliar 
tion,  and  a  promise  to  reform,  the  person  may  be  borne 
with.  On  a  second  offense,  the  preacher  or  leader  shall 
take  with  him  one  or  two  faithful  members.  On  a  third 
offense,  let  the  case  be  brought  before  the  local  church, 
official  board,  or  a  select  committee ;  and  if  there  be  no 
satisfactory  humiliation,  the  offender  shall  be  expelled  by 
vote  of  the  local  church  or  official  board.  In  case  the 
;accused  shall  deny  his  guilt  and  demand  a  trial,  and  there 
rbe  a  reasonable  doubt  or  question  about  his  guilt,  he  shall 
be  tri^d  by  a  committee,  and,  if  found  guilty,  he  shall  be 
expelled.  In  case  of  trial  under  this  clause,  the  leader  shall 
act  in  behalf  of  the  local  church  ;  or  if  the  leader  be  the 
j>ffender,  the  steward  shall  act  as  prosecutor. 

;  Disputes. 

4.  In  case  of  a  dispute  between  members  or  preachers, 
the  preacher  to  whom  it  shall  be  known  shall  inquire  into 
the  circumstances  of  the  case,  and,  if  necessary,  shall  rec- 
ommend to  the  contending  parties  a  reference  to  a  com- 
mittee consisting  of  one  arbiter  chosen  by  the  plaintiff, 
and  another  by  the  defendant,  and  a  third  by  these  two ; 
then  these  three  are  to  decide.  But  if  the  preacher  to 
whom  the  dispute  is  known  shall  refuse  or  neglect  to  act, 
then  the  quarterly  conference  shall  appoint  some  one  to 
carry  out  the  rule ;  and  it  either  or  both  disputants  refuse 
to  choose  an  arbiter,  the  quarterly  conference  shall  appoint 
the  first  and  second,  and  these  two  a  third,  who  shall  hear 
the  case  and  decide. 

Right  of  Appeal. 

5.  Should  either  party  be  dissatisfied  with  the  decision, 
'an  appeal  may  be  taken  to  the  next  quarterly  conference 
for  a  second  arbitration,  where  each  party  shall  choose  two 
arbiters,  and  the  four  shall  choose  a  fifth,  a  decision  of  a 
majority  of  whom  shall  be  final.  Any  member  refusing  to 
'abide  by  this  decision  shall  be  expelled  without  further 
trial.  Members  of  the  church  or  congregation  who  are 
present  at  a  local  church  trial,  but  take  no  part  in'  said 
trial,  are  not  disqualified  because  of  said  presence  from 
sitting  on  the  case,  if  an  appeal  is  taken  from  the  decision 
reached  by  said  church. 


MEMBERS  27 

Going  to  Laiv  ForMdden. 
(3.  Any  member  refusing,  in  case  of  debt  or  dispute,  to 
refer  the  matter  to  arbitration  when  recommended  to  him 
by  a  preacher  or  leader,  or  who  shall  enter  into  lawsuit 
with  another  member  before  these  measures  are  taken, 
shall  be  dealt  Avith  as  in  case  of  other  immoralities,  ex- 
cept when  the  case  is  of  such  a  nature  as  to  require  and 
justify  a  process  at  law,  as  in  acting  as  admimistrators,  or 
when  a  member  is  in  danger,  by  delay,  of  suffering  a  loss 
of  property. 

Record  of  Trials. 

7.  A  faithful  record  of  the  proceedings  of  any  church 
trial  conducted  in  a  local  church  shall  be  kept  by  the 
church  clerk  in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose ;  and  it 
shall  be  his  duty,  in  case  of  an  appeal,  to  furnish  his 
record  to  the  quarterlj'  conference. 

Order  in  Trials. 

8.  All  church  trials  shall  be  conducted  in  a  consistent 
Christian  manner,  w^iithout  the  employment  of  magistrates 
and  attorneys  to  administer  oaths  and  conduct  investiga- 
tions. 


Section  IV. 

TRANSFER   AND   WITHDRAW' AL   OF   MEMBERS. 

Certificate  of  Transfer  of  Memlters. 

1.  When  a  member  of  our  Church  removes  from  one 
pastoral  charge  to  another,  he  shall  obtain  a  certificate  of 
transfer  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  membership,  or  officiial 
board  of  the  local  church  of  which  he  is  a  member,  signed 
by  the  pastor,  or  if  there  is  no  pastor,  by  the  class-leader, 
the  certificate  to  be  in  the  form  of  No.  1,  Section  I.,  Chapter 
XXVII.,  of  our  Book  of  Disciplime. 

A  footnote  shall  be  subjoined  to  all  certificates  of  trans- 
fer, as  follows : 

Note. — This  is  not  a  letter  of  dismissal  from  our  Church 
and  it  does  not  terminate  the  connection  of  the  member 
with  the  local  church  which  grants  the  transfer. 

Transfer    of    1^ on-Resident    Members. 

2.  In  case  that  any  member  of  our  Church  who  does 
not  reside  in    reach   of  a  local  church   shall   make   applica- 


28  DISCIPLINE 

tion  to  the  pastor  for  a  certificate  of  transfer,  the  pastor 
may  issue  such  certificate  to  said  member  if  liis  Clirh^tian 
life  is  known  to  be  good,  and  he  has  settled  all  his  church 
dues,    subscriptions   and   assessments. 

Notice  of  Forwarding  Certificates. 

3.  The  pastor  who  issues  a  certificate  of  transfer  as 
provided  in  either  of  the  preceding  sections  shall,  if  prac- 
ticable, forward  such  certificate,  wiith  proper  notice  and 
explanation  to  the  pastor  of  the  charge  to  which  the  mem- 
ber receiving  the  certificate  shall  remove. 

Notice  of  Reception  of  Meinhers   on   Certificate. 

4.  When  a  pastor  shall  have  received  a  member  on  a  cer- 
tificate of  transfer  he  shall  notify  the  pastor,  or  class-leader, 
of  the  local  church  from  which  it  was  issued,  and  said 
pastor,  or  leader,  shall  enter  on  the  church  record  opposite 
the  name  of  the  transferred  member,  the  words,  "Removed 
by  certificate  of  transfer." 

Certificate   of   Recommendation. 

5.  When  a  member  of  our  Church  shall  remove  from 
one  of  our  pastoral  charges  to  another,  and  shall  make 
application  to  the  pastor  for  a  letter  of  recommendation 
by  which  he  may  unite  either  with  another  evangelical 
church  or  one  of  our  local  churches,  said  member  may  be 
entitled  to  receive  such  certificate  of  recommendation  by  a 
majority  vote  of  the  membership,  or  oflicial  board  of  the 
local  church  of  which  he  is  a  member,  signed  by  the  pastor, 
or,  if  there  is  no  pastor,  by  the  class-leader ;  provided,  that 
the  good  standing  of  said  member  is  evidenced  by  the  settle- 
ment of  all  his  church  dues,  subscriptions,  and  assessments, 
and  by  his  observance  of  the  rules  of  our  Church  pertain- 
ing to  the  "Duties  of  Members''  contained  in  Section  II., 
Chapter  IV.,  of  our  Discipline,  said  certificate  to  be  in 
the  form  of  No.  2,  Section  I.,  Chapter  XXVII.,  of  our 
Disciplime. 

Limitation  of  Certificates. 

6.  A  certificate  issued  to  a  member  of  our  Church  as 
provided  in  either  of  the  preceding  sections  must  be  pre- 
sented to  some  local  church,  or  returned  to  the  church  by 
which  it  was  granted,  within  eighteen  months ;  otherwise 
it  becomes  null  and  void. 


MEMBERS  29 

Amenahility  of  Certified  Memhcr. 

7.  A  member  receiving  a  certificate  of  transfer,  or  rec- 
ommendation, is  amenable  to  the  local  church  by  which  it 
was  granted  until  said  certificate  is  deposited  wiith  some 
other  local  church,  or  until  the  certificate  expires  by  limi- 
tation. 

Disposal   of   Delinquent   Non-Resident   Members. 

8.  In  case  a  member  moves  from  a  pastoral  charge  and 
fails  to  report  to  the  local  church  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 
ber, at  least  once  each  conference  j^ear,  he  may  be  marked 
"Removed  without  certificate." 

Certificate  of  Withdrawal. 

9.  If  a  member  of  our  Church  desires  to  withdraw  from 
the  Church,  and  his  Christian  life  has  been  good,  and  he 
has  settled  all  his  church  dues,  subscriptions,  and  assess- 
ments, he  shall  be  entitled  to  a  certificate  of  honorable  with- 
drawal from  the  Church  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  member- 
ship, or  official  board  of  the  local  church  of  which  he  is 
a  member,  signed  by  the  pastor,  or,  if  there  is  no  pastor, 
Jby    the   class-leader,    said   certificate    to   be    in    the    form   of 

No.  3,  Section  I.,  of  Chapter  XXVII.,  of  our  Discipline. 

MemhersJiip  of  Preachers. 

10.  An  annual-conference  member  may  be  received  into 
a  class  on  his  ministerial  credentials,  provided  said  cre- 
dentials are  held  in  force  by  the  conference  to  which  he  is 
amenable. 

Membership  of  Preachers  Required. 

11.  All  quarterly  and  annual-conference  preachers  are 
required  to  hold  membership  in  some  local  church  and 
upon  neglect  or  refusal  to  do  so  shall  lose  their  official 
relation. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Government  of  the  Church. 

Section  I. 

CLASSES, 

Local    Church    Organization. 

1.  A  local  church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  may 
be  organized,  where  not  already  established,  by  any  regu- 
larly authorized  mimister  or  missionary  of  the  denomination, 
who  shall  enroll  the  names  of  not  less  than  five  resident 
persons  in  a  book  of  record,  giving  to  each  the  right  hand 
of  fellowship,  and  causing  one  or  more  class-leaders  to  be 
elected  and  appointing  one  Gi*  more  stewards.^ 

Division  into   Classes. 

2.  A  local  church  may  be  divided  into  two  or  more 
classes,  if  deemed  proper  to  do  so,  by  the  pastor  and  official 
board.  In  all  cases,  each  class  shall  elect  its  own  leader, 
near  the  close  of  each  official  year.  After  such  division  the 
word  "class"  shall  denote  only  a  sectiion  of  the  local  church. 

Disbanding  Classes. 

3.  When  a  quarterly  conference  deems  it  impracticable 
to  maintain  the  organization  of  a  church  in  any  place, 
whatever  members  remain  shall  be  by  the  pastor  trans- 
ferred to  such  class  as  may  be  desired  by  the  member  or 
members  to  be  so  transferred. 

Section  II. 

CLASS-LEADERS. 

Qualifications. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  leader's  duty  to  live  a  pious  life  and 
set   a   godly    example   before   his    class ;    carefully   to    study 


^NoTE. — Until  the  congregation  thus  constituted  becomes  so 
large  as  to  require  dividing  into  classes  or  sections,  for  pur- 
poses of  convenience  and  efficiency,  the  words  "church,"  "con- 
gregation," and  "class"  shall  denote  the  same  aggregate  church 
membership. 

30 


GOVERNMENT   OF   THE   CIIUKCU  31 

the  Holy  Scriptures,  fully  qualifying  himself  for  the  faith- 
ful performance  of  his  duties  as  a  leader  and  counselor  of 
his   class. 

Holding  Meetings. 

2.  It  shall  be  his  dutj'^  to  meet  his  class,  in  class  or 
prayer-meeting  as  often  as  practicable,  to  speak  to  them 
concerning  their  spiritual  welfare,  and  exhort  them  to 
unity  and  love.  He  shall  extend  the  freedom  of  our 
prayer  and  class-meetings  to  all  sincere  and  well-diieposed 
persons  who  may  desire  to  attend  them. 

Visiting  the  Sick  and  Delinquent. 

3.  When  any  of  his  members  are  sick,  or  delinquent  in 
the  performance  of  their  duties,  he  shall  visit  them  and 
labor  with  them  as  circumstances  may  require,  or  arrange 
for  some  one  else  to  do  so. 

Class  Record. 

4.  He  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  members  of  the  class 
and  shall  make  regular  reports  of  his  work,  and  the  condition 
of  his  class,  to  the  official  board  and  quarterly  conference. 

Dismissal  for  Delinquency. 

5.  Any  class-leader  failing  to  discharge  these  duties 
may,  on  complaint,  be  removed  by  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence. ^ 

Section  III. 

CLASS-STEWARDS. 

1.  Every  church  may  have  one  or  more  class-stewards 
and  one  or  more  superintendent's  stewards ;  the  former  to  be 
chosen  as  provided  for  on  page  GG  under  "Annual  Reorgan- 
ization," the  latter  to  be  appointed  by  the  pastor. 

Collections  for  Pastors. 

2.  On  circuits  each  member  shall  contribute  quarterly, 
monthly,  or  oftener,  and  on  stations,  monthly  or  weekly, 
to  the  local  budget.  Each  steward  shall  keep  an  accurate 
account  of  the  amount  paid  by  each  member  of  the  class, 
in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose,  and  report  the  same, 
with  name  and  amount,  to  each  quarterly  conference ;  pro- 
vided, however,  that  where  the  envelope  system  is  in  use 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  steward   (financial  secre- 


32  DISCIPLINE 

tary,)  to  receive  the  envelopes,  keep  a  correct  record  of 
names  and  amounts  paid,  and  report  the  same  to  the  official 
board  monthly.  He  shall  furniish  each  steward,  at  the 
end  of  each  month,  a  list  of  the  names  of  those  who  are 
delinquent  in  payment  of  pastor's  salary,  with  statement 
of  the  amount  due  from  each.  The  stewards  shall  then 
endeavor  to  secure  prompt   payment   of  such   deficits. 

Elements  for  the  Lord's  Supper. 

3.  It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  stewards  to  provide  the 
elements  for  the  sacraments  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  always 
securing  unfermented  wine. 

Dismissal   for  Delinqneney. 

4.  For  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  duties  as  stew- 
ards, they  shall  be  accountable  to  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence, which  shall  have  poAver  to  dismiss  -them  for  official 
delinquency. 

C onferenceSuperintendent  Steward. 

5.  The  conference-superintendent  steward  shall,  under 
the  direction  of  the  pastor,  secure  quarterly,  by  private 
solicitation  or  otherwise,  one-fourth  of  the  yearly  assess- 
ment to  the  class  for  conference  superintendent's  salary, 
and  report  the  same  to  the  pastor  on  or  before  the  time  of 
each  quarterly  conference. 

Section  IV. 

CHURCH   DEACONS. 

Every  church  may  have  one  or  more  deacons,  who  shall 
be  elected  annually  by  vote  of  the  church.  The  duties  of 
a  deacon  shall  be  to  collect  funds  for  the  needy,  as  pro- 
vided for  in  Section  II.,  paragraph  14,  page  23,  of  the  Disci- 
pline, under  "Duties  of  Members,"  and  disburse  the  same 
under  the  direction  of  a  committee  appointed  by  the  official 
board,  or,  where  the  local  church  board  is  not  organized, 
under  the  direction  of  the  pastor. 

Section  V. 

CHUliCH    CLERK. 

There  may  be  a  church  clerk  who  shall  be  elected  by 
the  local  church  or  official  board  who  shall  be  the  pastor's 
clerical  assistant  and  work  under  his  direction. 


government  of  the  church  38 

Section  YI. 
official  boards. 

1.  The  properly  recognized  members  of  the  quarterly 
conference  shall  be  the  members  of  the  official  board  of 
each  local  church.  On  circuits  the  official  board  of  each 
church  shall  have  power  to  transact  its  business,  the  same 
as  the  official  boards  of  stations. 

2.  The  pastor  shall  be  the  president  of  the  board :  in 
his  absence  one  of  the  members  shall  be  elected  president 
pro  tern.  The  sessions  shall  begin  and  close  with  devo- 
tional exercises. 

3.  The  board  shall  elect  a  secretary,  who  shall  keep  a 
record  of  its  proceedings. 

4.  The  general  steward,  (financial  secretary),  elected  by 
the  quarterly  conference,  may  be  also  the  church  treasurer. 
The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  moneys  that  have  been  col- 
lected from  class-stewards,  or  otherwise,  and  receipt  there- 
for, and  said  treasurer  shall  pay  out  all  moneys  in  his  hands 
as  the  official  board  may  direct. 

5.  The  official  board  shall  receive  statements  of  all  sub- 
scriptions and  moneys  received  and  disbursed  for  the  in- 
terest of  the  local  church  ;  and  all  persons  intrusted  Avith 
moneys  or  subscriptiions.  whether  trustees,  stewards,  the 
treasurei',  or  others,  shall  report  the  same  to  the  official 
meeting  as  soon  as  possible, 

6.  It  shall  receive  from  each  class-leader  a  statement 
in  reference  to  the  religious  condition   of  his  class. 

7.  The  official  boards  shall  be  the  estimating  committee 
of  the  charge,  unless  otherwise  specifically  ordered  by  the 
quarterly  conference  as  provided  in  Section  YII.,  paragraph 
13,  page  36 ;  and  said  committee  shall  meet  the  pastor  as 
soon  as  practicable  after  the  annual  conference,  and  make 
out  an  estimate  of  the  expenses  of  the  charge  for  the  year — 
the  preacher's  salary,  the  conference  superintendent's  salary, 
sexton  hire,  cost  of  light,  fuel,  insurance,  and  any  other 
ordinary  expenses  incident  to  the  year's  general  account. 
An  estimate  of  preacher's  salary  for  the  ensuing  year  may 
be  made  by  said  committee  prior  to  the  close  of  the  con- 
ference year.  It  shall  also  determine  how  these  funds  are 
to  be  secured — whether  by  assessments  or  subscription,  and 
whether  by  envelope  collections  made  weekly,  or  by  the 
class-stewards,  or  both, — what  per  cent,  is  to  be  devoted  to 
the  preacher's  and  conference  superintendent's  salary,  and 
what  per  cent,   to   the  current  expenses   of   the  charge. 


34  DISCIPLINE 

8.  The  oflBcial  board  shall  revise  the  church  records,  as 
provided  in  Section  II.,  paragraph  3,  page  66,  and  shall  be 
the  body  to  grant  transfers,  and  dismissals  from  the  Church. 

9.  The  official  board  on  stations  shall  meet  once  a  month, 
and  on  circuits,  at  the  call  of  the  pastor. 

10.  The  official  board  may  appoint  an  executive  council 
of  which  the  pastor  shall  be  chairman,  to  act  for  the 
church  in  matters  committed  to  them. 

Revieiv  ty  Quarterly  Conference. 

11.  The  acts  of  the  official  boards  shall  be  approved  by 
the  Quarterly  conference. 


Section  VII. 

QUARTERLY   CONFERENCE. 

Menihers. 

1.  The  members  of  the  quarterly  conference  shall  be 
the  superintendent  of  the  district,  the  preacher  in  charge, 
and  all  properly  recognized  preachers,  lay  preachers,  deacon- 
esses, class-leaders,  class-stewards,  and  all  other  stewards, 
v/hose  appointments  have  been  ratified  by  the  quarterly 
conference,  presidents  of  ladies'  aid  societies,  church 
clerks,  when  properly  recognized  by  the  church,  or  official 
board,  or  quarterly  conference,  presidents  of  local  woman's 
missionary  associations,  the  church  treasurer,  trustees  of 
church  and  parsonage  houses,  superintendents  of  Sabbath 
schools,  presidents  of  young  people's  societies,  or- 
ganized in  harmony  with  the  provisions  of  Discipline  con- 
trolling the  organization  of  such  societies,  and  superin- 
tendents of  junior  societies,  when  similarly  organized,  presi- 
dents and  secretaries  of  brotherhoods,  all  treasurers  oi 
ladies'  aid  societies,  woman's  missionary  societies,  young 
people's  societies.  Sabbath  schools,  the  Brotherhood  and  the 
Otterbein  Guild  when  said  persons  are  members  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  who  reside  within 
the  bounds  of  the  station  or  circuit  or  hold  membership 
therein.  Such  members  as  are  present  at  any  regular  meet- 
ing shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business. 
The  quarterly  conference  shall  open  and  close  with  prayer. 
The  quarterly  conference  shall  be  amenable  to  the  annual 
conference  for  its  official  acts. 


GOVERNMEiXT   OF   THE   CHURCH  35 

Duties   and   Poivers   of   the    Quarterly   Conference. 

2.  In  the  absence  of  the  conference  superintendent,  the 
quarterly  conference  shall  elect  a  chairman  pro  tern.,  whose 
official  acts  shall  be  valid. 

3.  It  shall  elect  a  secretary,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 
keep  a  correct  record  of  all  its  proceedings  in  a  book  pro- 
vided for  that  purpose,  in  which  the  names  of  all  the  mem- 
bers' composing  the  said  conference  shall  be  entered. 

4.  It  shall  make  inquiry  into  the  moral  deportment  and 
official  character  of  all  its  members. 

5.  On  stations,  it  shall  elect,  at  the  last  quarterly  con- 
ference of  the  year,  a  church  treasurer,  wherever  desirable, 
who  shall  be  a  member  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

.  6.  It  shall  enforce  discipline  in  all  the  classes  under  its 
jurisdiction,  but  in  no  case  disorganize  a  class  unless  the 
preliminary  steps  have  been  taken  as  required  in  Chapter 
v.,  Section  I.,  paragraph  3,  page  30. 

7.  It  shall  hear  the  reports  of  the  stewards,  and  make 
settlements  with  the  pastor. 

Appeals  and  Trials. 

8.  It  shall  receive  and  try  all  appeals,  references,  and 
complaints  that  may  come  regularly  before  it ;  but  no  mem- 
ber of  quarterly  conference  can  be  suspended  or  expelled 
from  the  Church  prior  to  a  committee  trial. 

Licensing  Preachers. 

9.  It  shall  have  power  to  grant  license  to  preach  accord- 
ing to  the  provisions  of  Chapter  VI.,  "Ministry  of  the 
Church." 

Renewing  Licenses. 

10.  It  shall  renew  the  license  of  lay  preachers  and  quar- 
terly-conference preachers  annually,  if  they  are  found 
worthy,  and  may  arrange  a  plan  for  the  local  preachers 
to  preach  regularly  at  stated  places. 

Recommending  to  the  Annual  Conference. 

11.  The    quarterly    conference    may    recommend    to    the 
"annual  conference  licentiates  of  one  or  more  years'  stand- 
ing, who  have  completed  the  course  of  reading  required. 

General    Steicards    {Financial    Secretaries). 

12.  The  quarterly  conference,  at  its  last  session  in  each 
year,  shall  elect  by  ballot  a  steward  for  the  charge,  whose 


3fi  DISCIPLINE 

duty  it  shall  be  to  assist  the  class-stewards  in  securing  the 
pastor's  salary,  and  to  receive  and  audit  the  steward's 
reports. 

Estimating   Committee. 

13.  In  cases  of  circuits,  the  quarterly  conference  may, 
at  its  last  session  for  the  year,  appoint  a  finance  commit- 
tee, which  committee  shall  meet  at  the  time  and  place 
specified  by  the  preacher  appointed  to  the  charge  for  the 
ensuing  year,  and  make  out  an  estimate  of  the  regular  ex- 
penses, and  apportion  the  same,  including  the  conference 
assessment  for  conference  superintendent's  salary,  among 
the  different  appointments  according  to  their  respective 
ability,  and  report  the  same  to  the  quarterly  conference  for 
ratification.  This  committee  shall  also  serve  as  an  executive 
committee  for  the  quarterly  conference  during  the  year  in 
all  matters  of  finance. 

Apportionment    to    the   Memhers. 

14.  As  soon  as  convenient  after  each  class  has  received 
its  apportionment,  on  the  call  of  the  pastor,  the  ofiicial 
members  shall  meet  and  make  a  distribution  of  the  appor- 
tionment, including  the  assessment  for  conference  superin- 
tendent, to  the  members  severally,  according  to  their  ability, 
to  be  paid  quarterly,  monthly,  or  oftener ;  provided,  however, 
that  it  shall  be  the  privilege  of  any  class  to  collect  the 
amount  apportioned  to  it  by  subscription  or  otherAvise.* 


*The  financial  features  in  Section  VI..  relating  to  official 
boards,  and  Section  VII..  relating  to  the  quarterly  conference, 
are  considerably  modified  by  the  provisions  in  Chapter  XV.,  on 
Christian  Stewardship.  By  the  new  plan  a  local  budget  and  a 
benevolence  budget  are  provided  for.  the  funds  of  the  latter 
going  to  make  up  a  conference  budget  and  a  general  benevo- 
lence budget.  The  general  steward  comes  to  be  designated  the 
financial  secretary  and  instead  of  one  treasurer,  two  are  to  be 
elected,  one  for  the  local  expense  and  the  other  for  the  benev- 
olences. On  circuits,  the  quarterly  conference  elects  the  finan- 
cial secretary  and  the  two  treasurers.  The  different  local 
churches  on  a  circuit  may  through  their  own  official  boards 
elect  a  financial  secretary,  a  local  expense  treasurer,  and  a 
benevolence  treasurer,  who  shall  report  to  the  benevolence 
treasurer  of  the  circuit  or  of  the  conference.  For  full  infor- 
mation as  to  the  securing  and  disbursement  of  funds  see  Chap- 
ter XA"..  on  Christian  Stewardship.  The  particular  section  in 
regard  to  the  finances  of  the  local  church,  which  displaces  every 
provision   of   a   conflicting   nature,    is   the   following : 

1.  The  official  board  or  the  quarterly  conference  shall 
arrange  a  budget  for  current  expenses,  includins  the  pastor's 
salary,  the  conference  superintendent's  salary,  unless  other- 
wise provided  by  the  annual  conference,  and  all  the  other  local 
church   expenses  for  the   year. 

2.  A  committee  on  finance  shall  be  elected  by  the  official 
board.      This    committee    shall    provide    for    a    personal    canvass 


GOVERNMENT   OF   THE   CHURCH  37 

Place  of  Meeting. 

15.  The  quarterly  conference  shall  determine  its  places 
of  meeting. 

Appeals. 

'  IG.  Any  preacher  dissatisfied  with  the  decision  of  a 
quarterly  conference  shall,  within  thirty  days  after  the 
quarterly  conference,  notify  the  secretary,  in  writing,  of 
his  intention  to  appeal,  together  with  his  reasons  for  so 
doing ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  take  or 
send  a  certified  copy  of  the  proceedings,  the  notification, 
and  reasons  assigned,  to  the  annual  conference. 

17.  In  all  cases  of  appeal,  whether  to  the  quarterly  or 
annual  conference,  or  to  the  court  of  appeals,  the  course 
laid  down  in  the  chapter  on  '"Appeals"  is  the  proper  course 
to  be  pursued. 

Section  YIII. 
annual   conference. 
Members. 
1.     The  annual  conference  shall  consist  of  all  elders  and 
licentiate  preachers,   who  have  been   duly  received,   and   one 
layman   from   each   charge   in   the   conference,   who   shall    l^e 
elected  by  ballot,   at  the  third  or  last  session   of  the  quar- 
terly conference  in  the  year,  a  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast 
being    necessary    to    a    choice,    and    an    alternate    shall    b<? 
elected  at  the  same  time  and  in  like  manner. 

The  delegate  thus  chosen  shall  not  be  one  holding  an 
annual-conference  license  as  a  minister,^  nor  one  recom- 
mended to  the  annual  conference  for  license  to  preach,  and 
such    delegate    shall    have    all    the    rights    and    privileges    of 


^NoTE. — It  is  also  advised  by  the  General  Conference  that 
wives  of  annual-conference  ministers  be  not  chosen  as  lay 
delegates. 


of  the  members  and  supporters  of  tlie  church  for  an  annual 
pledge  on  the  weekly  basis  and  when  practical  this  canvass 
sliall  be  made  prior  to  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year.  This 
canvass  can  be  omitted  when  the  scriptural  plan  has  been 
adopted  of  bringing  the  whole  tithe  into  the  storehouse. 

3.  The  ofiicial  board  shall  elect  a  financial  secretary  and  two 
treasurers,  one  to  care  for  the  current  expense  fund  and  the 
other  for  the  benevolence  offerings  of  the  church.  The  financial 
secretary  shall  keep  an  account  of  the  offerings  to  both  budg- 
ets in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose.  The  treasurer  of  the 
benevolence  fund  shall  remit  to  the  Conference  treasurer  month- 
ly or  quarterly.  The  treasurer  of  the  current  expense  fund 
shall   distribute   it  as  ordered  by  the  official   board. 


38  DISCIPLINE 

mmisters  in  the  annual  conference  except  the  right  to  vote 
upon  the  reception  or  expulsion  of  preachers,  and  the  pass- 
ing of  preachers  in  the  course  of  reading.  Members  of  con- 
ference boards  shall  also  be  granted  advisory  seats.  The 
conference  treasurer  also,  when  not  a  minister  or  a  lay  dele- 
gate, shall  be  given  an  advisory  seat. 

Devotions. 

2.  Suitable  devotional  exercises,  consisting  of  scripture 
reading,  singing,  and  prayer,  shall  be  held  at  the  opening 
and  closing  of  the  conference  sessions. 

Secretaries. 

3.  The  conference  shall  elect  by  ballot  one  or  more  sec- 
retaries, as  the  case  may  require,  who,  in  additiion  to  dis- 
charging their  regular  duties  of  secretary,  shall,  immediately 
on  the  adjournment  of  the  annual  conference,  transmit 
to  the  Publishing  Agent,  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  a  true  transcript 
of  the  footings  of  the  conference  chart. 

Bishop  Pro  Tempore. 

4.  If  no  bishop  should  be  present,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  annual  conference  to  elect  a  bishop  pro  tern.,  whose 
official  acts'  shall  be  valid. 

Examinations. 

5.  All  preachers  shall  report  in  person  or  by  letter,  and 
be  examined  'respecting  their  deportment  toward  their 
fellow-men,  whether  their  conduct  in  life  be  blameless, 
and  whether  they  employ  as  much  time  as  practicable  to 
promote  the  kingdom  of  God  (according  to  Tit.  1:7-9  and 
II.  Tim,  2:15),  and  if  found  delinquent  they  shall  be 
admonished  or  advised,  as  the  case  may  require.  But 
should  all  admonition  or  advice  fail,  then  the  name  of  the 
delinquent  person  shall  be  erased  from  the  roll  of  the  con- 
ference. 

Absentees. 

6.  Should  any  member  of  the  annual  conference  absent 
himself  from  the  session  of  conference  three  j'ears  in  suc- 
cession without  giving  a  satisfactory  reason  for  so  doing, 
his  name  may  be  erased  from  the  roll  of  the  conference. 

Electioneering  Forbidden. 

7.  No  preacher  or  layman  shall  be  permitted  to  elec- 
tioneer favorably  to  his  own  election  to  any  office  or  dele- 


GOVERNMENT   OF   THE   CHURCH  39 

gation  in  the  church ;  and  should  any  one  be  found  doing 
so,  if  a  preacher,  he  shall  be  held  accountable  to  the  next 
annual  conference  of  which  he  is  a  member,  and  if  a  layman, 
he  shall  be  held  accountable  to  the  class,  to  be  dealt  with, 
each  according  to  the  judgment  of  said  conference  or  class. 

Authority  of  the  Antiual  Conference. 

8.  An  annual  conference  may  adopt  rules  for  its  own 
Church. 

Benevolent  Funds. 

9.  The  annual  conference  shall  forward  to  the  General 
Church  Treasurer  all  moneys  collected  by  the  conference  for 
all  general  benevolences,  and  in  no  case  can  these  funds  be 
diverted   to  conference  interests. 

Business  Sheet. 

10.  The  annual  conference  shall  transact  its  business 
according  to  a  business  sheet  prepared  by  the  Board  of 
Bishops. 


Section  IX. 

GENERAL   CONFERENCE. 

Members. 

1.  (See  Constitution,  Article  I.,  Section  1.) 

Conference  Representation. 

2.  The  annual  conferences  shall  be  represented  in  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  according  to  the  following  ratios  : 

All  conferences  having  less  than  two  thousand  members 
shall  be  entitled  to  two  delegates,  one  ministerial  and  one 
lay ;  two  thousand  and  less  than  six  thousand,  two 
ministerial  and  two  lay ;  six  thousand  and  less  than  ten 
thousand,  three  ministerial  and  three  lay ;  ten  thousand 
and  less  than  fourteen  thousand,  four  ministerial  and  four 
lay ;  fourteen  thousand  and  less  than  eighteen  thousand,  five 
ministerial  and  five  lay ;  eighteen  thousand  and  less  than 
twenty-two  thousand,  six  ministerial  and  six  lay  ;  the  same 
ratio  to  be  continued  through  conferences  having  larger 
numbers. 

Provided  that  all  general  ofiicers  and  heads  of  department 
elected  by  the  General  Conference  shall  be  advisory  dele- 
gates at  large. 


40  DISCIPLINE 

Provided  further  that  the  number  of  delegates  from  For- 
eign Mission  Conference,  not  in  excess  of  the  above 
ratios,  and  the  manner  of  their  election  shall  be  determined 
by  the   Foreign   Mission   Board. 

Bishops'  Announcement. 

3.  The  Board  of  Bishops  shall  as  early  as  possible  an- 
nounce the  number  of  delegates  to  which  each  conference 
shall  be  entitled,  as  appearing  from  the  statistics  of  the 
annual  conferences  at  the  end  of  the  third  year  of  the 
quadrennial  term. 

'Nomination  of  Delegates. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  ministerial  members  of 
each  annual  conference  at  the  session  next  preceding  the 
election  for  delegates  to  General  Conference,  apart  from 
the  lay  delegates,  to  nominate  by  ballot  three  times  the 
number  of  ministerial  delegates  to  be  elected.  It  shall 
also  be  the  duty  of  the  lay  delegates,  in  separate  conven- 
tion, to  nomitaate  by  ballot  three  times  the  number  of  lay 
delegates  to  be  elected.  In  both  cases  it  shall  require  a 
majority  of  all  the  ballots  cast  to  effect  a  nomination. 
This  provision  shall  not  be  construed  as  depriving  mem- 
bers of  the  right  to  vote,  if  desirous  of  doing  so,  for  other 
ministers  and  laymen  who  are  eligible. 

Annual-Conference   Tellers. 

5.  Each  annual  conference  shall  appoint  a  committee 
of  three  as  a  board  of  tellers  and  three  as  alternates,  to 
receive  and  publicly  count  the  votes,  and  issue  certificates 
of  election  to  those  receiving  the  highest  number  of  votes. 
It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  tellers  to  meet  before 
the  month  of  November  and  appoint  one  of  their  number 
secretary ;  and  to  said  secretary  all  returns  of  boards  of 
election  shall  be  made ;  and  the  said  secretary  shall  retain 
under  lock  and  key  all  such  reports  until  the  official  count 
is  made. 

Lists   of  Nominees   and   Blanls. 

6.  The  annual  conference  shall  also  furnish,  thi-ough 
its  recording  secretary,  to  each  preacher  in  charge  of  a 
field  of  labor  a  list  of  all  the  ministers  and  laymen  nomi- 
nated ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  conference  superin- 
tendent to  have  printed  in  convenient  form,  and  deliiver  in 
due  time  to  each  pastor,  printed  tickets  containing  all  the 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE   CHURCU  41 

names  nominated,  with  the  postoffice  addresses,  for  use  in 
the  election  of  delegates.  He  shall  also  furniish  to  each 
preacher  in  charge  on  his  district  blank  bills  of  election, 
which  shall  be  distributed  by  the  preachers  to  their  respec- 
tive boards  of  election. 

1 

Boards  of  Election. 

7.  The  leaders  and  stewards  of  each  local  church  shall 
constitute  a  board  of  election,  w^ho  shall,  by  the  pastor,  be 
furnished  a  copy  of  the  list  of  persons  nominated,  and  the 
election  shall  be  held  invariably  between  November  15 
and  December  15  next  preceding  the  sitting  of  the  General 
Conference. 

8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  election  of  each 
local  church  publicly  to  announce,  at  least  one  week  be- 
fore the  election,  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  said  church, 
for  purpose  of  casting  their  ballot  for  delegates  to  rep- 
resent them  in  the  General  Conference. 

"  Ahsent  Voters. 

9.  Should  any  member  be  incapacitated  by  age,  afflic- 
tion, non-residence,  or  other  unavoidable  circumstances, 
and  should  any  minister  be  absent  on  his  charge,  such 
persons  may  send  their  ballots  containing  the  names  of 
their  choice,  with  their  own  names  signed  on  the  back  of 
their  ballots ;  provided,  that  no  votes  shall  be  counted  ex- 
cept those  cast  on  the  day  appointed  for  such  election. 

Election  Returns. 

10.  Each  board  of  election  shall  immediately  make  up 
the  bill  of  election,  sign,  enclose,  and  seal  it,  and  trans- 
mit it  to  the  secretary  of  the  board  of  tellers  appointed 
by  the  annual  conference,  stating  what  church,  circuit, 
mission,  or  station  their  vote  represents.  They  shall  also 
keep  a  correct  copy  of  the  bill  they  send  to  the  tellers ; 
also  a  list  of  the  names  of  all  the  members  voting,  and 
also  the  tickets  used  in  voting,  until  after  the  adjourn- 
ment of  the  General  Conference,  when  they  may  be  de- 
stroyed. 

11.  Pastors  shall  be  required  to  see  that  forms  for  the 
election  of  delegates  are  properly  filled  out  and  the  re- 
turns of  their  charges  sent  in  ;  they  shall  be  held  amenable 
to  the  annual  conference  for  the  discharge  of  this  duty. 


42  DISCIPLINE 

Canvassing  and  Publication  of  Returns. 

12.  The  annual  conference  board  of  tellers,  not  later 
than  the  third  week  in  January  shall  make  out  a  list  of  all 
persons  voted  for,  and  of  the  number  of  votes  for  each; 
and  should  any  two  or  more  of  the  candidates  have  an 
equal  number  of  votes,  the  tellers  shall  determine,  by  lot, 
which  of  them  is  elected.  They  shall  also  forward,  by  the 
twenty-fifth  of  January,  to  the  editor  of  the  Religious  Tele- 
scope for  publication,  the  names  and  postoffice  addresses  of 
tho.se  elected.  They  shall  also  transmit  to  the  Publishing 
A-gent,  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  a  complete  list  of  all  persons  voted 
for  and  the  number  of  votes  cast  for  each,  which  record  shall 
be  furnished  to  the  ensuing  General  Conference,  and  if  one 
or  more  of  those  elected  should  be  prevented  from  attending, 
by  death,  sickness,  or  otherwise,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
tellers  or  secretary  of  the  General  Conference  to  notify  the 
next  highest  on  the  bill  to  take  his  place,  and  so  on,  descend- 
ing, if  need  be,  to  the  last  candidate.  No  bills  of  election 
received  by  the  tellers  after  the  fifteenth  of  January  shall  be 
counted. 

Contests. 

13.  In  case  of  contest  for  the  seat  of  any  delegate 
reported  elected  to  the  General  Conference  by  the  board  of 
tellers  of  his  conference,  the  secretary  of  the  conference  shall 
give  notice  to  the  contestee  in  wriiting  forty  days  before 
the  sitting  of  the  General  Conference,  in  which  charges  and 
specifications  shall  bel  plainly  stated.  Any  person  failing  to 
give  such  notice  shall  forfeit  his  right  to  contest  in  the 
General  Conference. 

Location  and  Entertainment  of  the  General  Conference. 

14.  Arrangements  for  the  place  and  entertainment  of  the 
General  Conference,  if  not  determined  at  its  session,  or  if 
satisfactory  arrangements  for  the  entertainment  and  care 
of  the  delegates  and  visitors  and  the  proper  expenses  for 
the  General  Conference  be  not  provided,  shall  be  referred 
with  full  power  to  act  to  the  agent  and  board  of  trustees  of 
the  Printing  Establishment. 

15.  Said  board  shall  estimate  the  amount  required  for 
the  expenses  of  the  General  Conference,  including  traveling 
expenses  and  boarding  of  delegates  and  bishops,  and  shall 
report  the  same  to  the  General  Commission  on  Finance,  who 
shall  equitably  apportion   the  same   among,   and   report   the 


GOVERNMENT   OF   THE   CHURCH  43 

same  to  the  annual  conferences  early  in  the  first  year  of  the 
quadrennium  next  preceding  the  sitting  of  the  General  Con- 
ference ;  said  apportionments  shall  be  by  each  annual  con- 
ference apportioned  to  each  charge  in  the  conference,  and 
the  pastors  required  to  collect  and  turn  over  the  same  to  the 
conference  treasurer  at  the  close  of  the  year,  and  the  con- 
ference treasurer  shall,  as  soon  as  the  apportionment  is  all 
collected,  send  said  amount  to  the  General  Church  Treasurer 
at  Dayton,  Ohio, 

16.  This  money  shall  be  known  as  the  General  Confer- 
ence Expense  Fund,  and  shall  be  distributed  among  the 
delegates  and  bishops  in  proportion  to  their  traveling  ex- 
penses by  the  most  direct  route  to  and  from  the  seat  of 
the  General  Conference,  and  shall  itnclude  their  board  and 
lodging  duririg  the  sessions  of  the  Conference ;  provided, 
however,  that  if  any  conference  shall  fail  to  raise  the  full 
amount  of  its  apportionment,  said  conference  delegation 
shall  receii\'e  from  said  fund  in  proportion  to  the  amount 
raised  by  the  conference. 

Exatnination    of  Annual    Conferences. 

17.  The  General  Conference  may  examine  the  adminis- 
tration of  each  annual  conference,  whether  it  has  strictly 
observed  the  rules  and  preserved  the  moral  and  doctrinal 
principles   of   the    Discipline    in   all   its   transactions. 

^         Election  of  Officers. 

18.  In  the  election  of  all  the  officers  of  the  General  Con- 
ference, a  majority  of  all  the  votes  shall  be  necessary  tp  a 
choice. 

Boards  of  Trustees. 

19.  If  the  board  of  trustees  of  any  of  our  Church  in- 
stitutions shall,  on  account  of  removals,  or  otherwiee,  at 
any  time  not  have  the  number  of  members  required  by  the 
charter  of  such  institutions  to  be  selected  from  a  particular 
State,  said  board  shall  be  authorized  to  supply  said  de- 
ficiency by  the  selection  of  additional  trustees. 

20.  In  the  event  of  a  vacancy  occurring  in  any  of  the 
secretaryships  constituted  by  the  General  Conference  the 
board  of  that  department  shall  fill  the  place. 


44  DISCIPLINE 

Meetings. 

21.  The  General  Conference  shall  convene  in  regular  ses- 
sion on  the  second  Thursday  of  May,  and  in  special  session 
upon  the  call  of  the  Board  of  Bishops. 

22.  The  quadrenninm  shall  begin  upon  the  adjournment 
of  the  General  Conference  and  the  tenure  of  office  of  all 
general  officers,  secretaries,  and  members  of  boards,  shall 
take  effect  upon  said  adjournment — provided :  that  officers 
shall  have  until  July  1  thereafter  to  make  inventory,  settle 

their  accounts  and  arrange  their  work. 

• 

Section  X. 

GENERAL   CHURCH   TREASURER. 

The  General  Conference  shall  elect  a  General  Church 
Treasurer,  who  shall  be  the  treasurer  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
and  who  shall  receive  and  disburse,  on  order,  the  funds  of 
the  Home  Miss'ionary  Society,  the  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety, Church  Erection  Society,  the  Board  of  Control  of 
the  Sunday  School,  Brotherhood  and  Young  People's  Work, 
the  Board  of  Education.  General  Conference  Expense  Fund, 
Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary  Fund,  and  other  benevolent 
funds  of  the  Church.  Said  treasurer  shall  give  bond  for 
the  faithful  performance  of  his  duty,  the  bond  to  be  fixed 
by  the  Board  of  Bishops  and  the  salary  by  the  General 
Conference. 

Section  XI. 

ORPHANAGES,     HOSPITALS,    AND    OLD    PEOPLE'S     HOMES. 

1.  The  Quincy  United  Brethren  Orphanage  and  Home, 
located  at  Quincy.  Franklin  County,  Pa. ;  the  Otterbein 
Home,  located  at  l^nion  Village,  Warren  County.  Ohio  ;  the 
Col.  R.  M.  Baker  Home  located  at  Otterbein,  Loa  Angeles 
County,  California  :  the  Beatrice  United  Brethren  Hospital, 
located  in  Beatrice.  Gage  County,  Nebraska,  are  recognized 
as  sustaining  well-defined  relations  to  the  Church  as  general 
institutions. 

2.  The  territory  which  shall  co-operate  with  the  Quincy 
United  Brethren  Orphanage  and  Home  shall  comprise  Alle- 
gheny, Erie,  Pennsylvania,  East  Pennsylvania,  Virginia, 
West  Virginia,  Chickamauga,  East  Tennessee,  and  Georgia- 
Florida  Conferences ;   with  the  Otterbein   Home  as  compris- 


GOVERNMENT   OF   THE   CHURCH  45 

ing  the  remainder  of  the  territory,  except  that  the  Oregon, 
Columbia  River  and  California  Conferences  be  given  to  the 
CoL  R.  M.  Baker  Home  when  requested, 

3.  The  General  Conference  shall  elect  trustees  for  the 
Quiucy  United  Brethren  Orphanage  and  Home  and  the 
Otterbein  Home  from  their  respective  territories.  The  Cali- 
fornia Conference  shall  elect  trustees  for  the  Col.  R.  M. 
Baker  Home.  The  East  Nebraska  Conference  shall  elect 
trustees  for  Beatrice  United  Brethren  Hospital. 

4.  The  Boards  of  Trustees  shall  adopt  such  plans  and 
rules  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  management  of  said  insti- 
tutions, provided  such  rules  are  in  harmony  with  the  Disci- 
pline of  the  Church. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Board  of  Bishops  to  pre- 
sent the  above  interests  to  each  of  the  Annual  Conferences 
co-operating  with   those   institutions. 

6.  In  order  to  secure  the  best  results  from  concentration, 
no  similar  institution  may  be  established  without  the 
approval   of  the  General   Conference. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Ministry  of  the  Church. 
Section  I. 

LAY  PREACHERS. 

How  Licensed. 
Any  person  desiring  license  as  a  lay  preacher  must  obtain 
from  the  church  of  which  he  is  a  member  by  a  two-thirds 
vote  of  the  members  present,  at  a  meeting  called  and  duly 
announced  for  that  purpose,  a  recommendation  in  writing 
signed  by  the  leader  or  pastor  to  the  quarterly  conference 
of  the  charge  to  which  he  belongs,  which  may  license  him 
after  an  examination  on  the  questions  for  applicants  for 
quarterly  conference  license  to  preach. 

Duties  of  Lay  Preachers. 

2.  Lay  preachers  may  make  appointments  wherever 
acceptable  to  the  people  ;  read  portions  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, preaching  and  exhorting  therefrom ;  give  Bible  read- 
ings ;  encouraging  Christians  to  cleave  with  purpose  of  heart 
to  the  Lord,  and  sinners  to  flee  the  wrath  to  come ;  and  this 
they  shall  do  as  often  as  practicable. 

3.  The  license  of  a  lay  preacher  is  subject  to  renewal 
annually   at   the   discretion   of  the  quarterly   conference. 

Section  1 1. 
quarterly    conference    preachers. 
How  Licensed. 
1.     Any  person  desiring  a  license  to  preach,  must  obtain 
from  the  class  of  which   he  is  a  member,   by  a  two-thirds 
vote  of  the  members  present  at  a  meeting  called  and  duly 
announced  for  that  purpose,   a  recommendation  in  writing, 
signed  by   the  leader   or  preacher,   to  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence of  the  charge  to  which  he  belongs ;  provided,  however, 
that   only   they    shall   receive   license   who   have   passed   the 
Teacher  Training  Course,  or  its  full  equivalent,  and  whose 
educational    attainments    are    equivalent    to    the    completion 
of   a   public   school    course   half   way   through   the  standard 

46 


MINISTRY  OF  THE  CHURCH  47 

high-school  grade,  or  to  the  completion  of  half  the  standard 
academic  course  necessary  to  entering  the  freshman  class 
of  a  standard  college,  and  expressed  their  purpose  to  make 
the  ministry  their  life  work,  and  can  give  satisfactory 
evidence  of  their  call,  religious  experience,  soundness  of 
doctrine,  and  attachment  to  the  Church  and  its  government. 
The  person  making  application  shall  be  examined  by  the 
quarterly  conference,  and  the  following  questions  shall  be 
asked  by  the  chairman : 

2.  (1)  Do  you  believe  our  Confession  of  Faith  as  set 
forth  in  our  Book  of  Discipline? 

(2)  Have  you  now  peace  with  God  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ? 

(3)  What  is  your  motive  in  desiring  permission  to 
preach  the  gospel? 

(4)  Are  you  satisfied  with  our  Church  government? 

(5)  Will  you  submit  yourself  to  the  counsel  of  your 
brethren  ? 

(6)  What  is  your  knowledge  of  depravity,  of  redemp- 
tion, of  faith,  of  repentance,  of  justification,  of  regenera- 
tion, and  of  sanctification  ? 

(7)  What  is  your  educational  preparation  for  the  work 
of  the  ministry? 

3.  It  shall  be  the  privilege  of  the  chairman  to  ask  any 
other  question  or  questions  that  he  may  deem  necessary. 

4.  Persons  divorced,  except  on  scriptural  grounds,  shall 
not  be  granted  license. 

5.  No  person  who  uses  tobacco  in  any  form  shall  be 
granted  a  license  to  preach. 

6.  When  a  preacher  from  another  church  comes  to  us 
with  a  certificate  of  good  standing  in  the  church  in  which 
he  has  held  membership,  and  gives  satisfaction  to  the 
quarterly  conference  concerning  his  agreement  on  the  doc- 
trines, discipline,  government,  and  usages  of  our  Church, 
the  quarterly  conference  niay  receive  him. 

Course  of  Study. 

7.  A  quarterly-conference  preacher  is  required  to  pur- 
sue the  course  of  study  prescribed  in  our  Book  of  Dis- 
cipline, and  to  be  examined  annually  by  the  conference 
superintendent  and  pastor  at  the  fourth  quarterly  conference. 

[For  exception  to  this  article,  see  paragraph  7,  on  page 
49.] 


48  DISCIPLINE 

Renewal  of  License. 

8.  The  license  of  a  quarterly-conference  preacher  is  sub- 
ject to  renewal  annually,  at  the  discretion  of  the  quarterly- 
conference,  provided,  however,  that  when  the  course  of 
study  required  has  been  taken,  he  shall  be  excused  from 
further  examination,  and  shall  hold  his  license  subject  to 
the  discretion  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

Recommendation   to  Annual  Conference. 

9.  After  a  quarterly-conferexice  preacher  has  stood  in 
that  relation  one  or  more  conference  years,  the  quarterly 
conference  may  recommend  him  to  the  annual  conference, 
and  if  not  received  he  shall  sustain  his  former  relation. 
The  recommendation  shall  be  signed  by  the  secretary  of 
the  quarterly   conference   or   the   conference   superintendent. 


Section  III. 

ANNUAL-CONFERENCE    PREACHERS. 

Hoic  Received. 

1.  Any  person  proposed  as  a  preacher  shall  be  exam- 
ined by  the  annual  conference,  or  a  select  committee  there- 
of ;  and  the  following  questions  shall  be  asked  him  : 

Preacher's  Examination. 

2.  (1)  Have  you  known  God  in  Christ  Jesus  to  be  a 
sin-pardoning  God? 

(2)  Have  you  now  peace  with  God,  and  is  the  love  of 
God  shed  abroad  in  your  heart  by  the  Holy  Spirit? 

(3)  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God, 
and  that  therein  is  contained  the  only  true  way  to  our  sal- 
vation ? 

(4)  What  foundation  have  you  for  such  belief? 

(5)  Are  you  endeavoring  by  the  grace  of  God  to  live  a 
holy  life? 

(6)  What  is  your  motive  for  desiring  permission  to 
preach  the  gospel? 

(7)  Do  you  believe  that  man,  apart  from  the  grace  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is  fallen  from  original  righteous- 
ness, and  is  not  only  entirely  destitute  of  holiness,  but  is 
inclined  to  evil,  and  only  evil,  and  that  continually;  and 
that  except  a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot  see  the  king- 
dom of  heaven? 


MINISTRY  OF  THE   CHURCH  49 

(8)  What  is  your  knowledge  of  redemption,  of  faith, 
of  repentance,  justification,  regeneration,  and  sanctification  ? 

(9)  Does  your  own  salvation,  and  the  salvation  of  your 
fellow  men,  lie  nearer  to  your  heart  than  all  other  things 
in   the  world? 

(10)  Will  you  subject  yourself  to  the  counsel  of  your 
brethren  in  the  Lord? 

(11)  Are  you  satisfied  with  our  Church  government? 

(12)  Are  you  willing,  as  much  as  is  in  your  power,  to 
assist  in  upholding  our  itinerant  plan? 

Educational  Requirements. 

3.  (1)  Educational  attainments  equivalent  to  the  com- 
pletion of  a  standard  academy  or  a  standard  high-school 
course,  are  required  for  admission  to  the  annual  conference. 
(2)  The  foregoing,  in  addition  to  the  completion  of  the 
quarterly  and  annual  conference  courses  of  study,  are  re- 
quired for  ordination.  (3)  The  ideal  preparation  for 
effective  work  in  the  ministry  is  a  full  college  course,  fol- 
lowed by  a  theological  course,  to  which  standard  we  earn- 
estly urge  our  young  ministers  to  aspire. 

Qualifications  of  Applicants. 

4.  No  one  shall  be  admitted  to  the  annual  conference 
without  having  a  recommendation  from  the  quarterly  con- 
ference and  then  shall  be  received  on  probation  only. 
Neither  shall  any  one  be  admitted  who  has  not  met  the 
educational  requirements  except  in  extraordinary  cases  which 
shall  be  decided  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  annual  con- 
ference. 

5.  Persons  divorced,  except  on  scriptural  grounds,  shall 
not  be  granted  license  to  preach. 

6.  No  person  shall  be  granted  license  to  preach  the  gos- 
pel who  uses  tobacco  in  any  form.  The  license  of  any 
preacher  who  uses  tobacco,  may,  upon  proper  evidence,  be 
revoked  by  the  annual  conference. 

Exemption  from  Examination. 

7.  Any  person  pursuing  the  quarterly-  or  annual-con- 
ference course  of  study  who  presents  a  certificate  to  the 
effect  that  he  has  completed  branches  or  books  contained 
in  the  courses  in  the  Discipline,  at  any  of  our  schools,  or 
at  schools  whose  standard  of  excellence  is  acceptable  to 
the  parties  conducting  the  examination  on  behalf  of  the 
Church,    said    certificates    shall    preclude    the    necessity    for 


50  DISCIPLINE 

further  examination  in   the  branches   or  books   which  have 
been  completed  as  evidenced  by  saad  certificates. 

Sacraments   and   Unordained  Preachers. 

8.  Unordained  annual  conference  preachers  who  are  en- 
gaged in  the  active  work  of  the  ministry  and  who  are 
regularly  and  industriously  pursuing  their  courses  of  study, 
may  be  permitted  by  their  annual  conferences  to  admimister 
the  sacraments  of  the  Church. 

An  Expelled  Preacher. 

9.  Yv^hen  a  preacher  or  elder  has  been  expelled,  or  with- 
draws from  an  annual  conference,  he  shall  not  be  received 
into  another  conference  without  the  consent  of  the  confer- 
ence with  which  he  was  formerly  connected. 

Preacher's  Transfer. 

10.  A  preacher  or  elder  who  has  labored  in  the  bounds 
of  an  annual  conference  other  than  the  one  to  which  he 
belongs,  for  two  years,  shall  be  required  to  obtain  a  trans- 
fer from  the  conference  to  which  he  belongs  and  to  unite 
with  the  conference  in  whose  bounds  he  labors,  or  to  re- 
turn to  his  own  conference  for  work ;  provided,  that  presi- 
dents and  professors  of  schools  and  colleges,  students  in 
our  institutions  of  learning,  and  others  engaged  in  general 
church  work,  shall  be  exempt  from  this  requirement. 

11.  A  preacher  removing  from  one  conference  to  an- 
other shall,  when  he  applies  to  the  latter  for  admission, 
produce  a  transfer  from  the  former,  signed  by  the  presid- 
ing ofiicer  and  secretary. 

Limit  of  Transfer. 

12.  Any  preacher  who  receives  a  transfer  is  required 
to  present  said  transfer  to  anpther  conference,  or  to 
return  it  to  the  conference  by  which  it  was  issued,  within 
two  years  after  its  date.  Otherwise  the  transfer  shall  be 
null  and  void,  and  it  shall  be  published  that  said  preacher 
no  longer  has  ministerial  standing  in  our  Church. 

Accountahility    of    Transferred   Preachers. 

13.  Any  preacher  receivimg  a  transfer  shall  be  a  member 
of  the  quarterly  conference  in  whose  bounds  he  may  reside, 
and  shall  also  be  accountable  for  his  moral  and  official 
conduct    to    the    annual    conference    granting    said    transfer, 


MINISTRY  OF  THE   CHURCH  51 

until   his  transfer  be   received   by   the   conference   to  which 
he  has  been  transferred. 

Bible  Cause. 
It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  pastor  to  observe  one  Sunday 
each  year  in  the  month  of  May  as  Bible  Sunday,  when  he 
shall  preach  an  appropriate  sermon  and  take  an  offering 
for  the  Bible  cause.  This  offering  shall  be  forwarded  to 
the  Conference  treasurer, 'by  him  to  the  Bible  society  which 
operates  the  territory  where  the  offering  is  taken. 

Section  IV. 

RECEPTION    OF    PREACHERS    FROM    OTHER    CHURCHES, 

When  a  preacher  from  another  church  comes  to  us  with 
a  certificate  of  good  standing  in  the  church  in  which  he 
has  held  membership,  or  with  a  transfer  from  a  confer- 
ence, presbytery,  or  synod,  and  gives  satisfaction  to  the 
annual  conference  concerning  his  agreement  on  the  doc- 
trines, discipline,  government,  and  usages  of  our  Church, 
the  conference  may  receive  him.  If  he  be  an  ordained  elder 
he  must  pass  the  examination  required  of  candidates  for 
elder's  orders,  but  he  may  be  exempt  from  reordination. 

Section  V. 

CLASSIFICATION    OF    THE    MINISTRY. 

Classes. 

1.  The  ministry  of  the  Church  shall  be  classified  accord- 
ing to  the  following  order :  First,  as  licentiates ;  second, 
as  elders;  third,  as  itinerants  (active,  superannuated,  or 
supernumerary)  ;   and  fourth,   as  local  preachers. 

Elders. 

2.  Elders  are  ministers  who  have  been  ordained  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  provisions  of  Section  VI.,  of  this  chapter. 

Licentiates. 

3,  Licentiates  are  ministers  who  have  received  annual- 
conference  license,  but  have  not  yet  been  ordained. 

Itinerants. 

4,  Itinerants  are  annual-conference  ministers  who  have 
been  regularly  received  imto  the  itinerancy.  They  may  be 
active,   superannuated,   or  supernumerary. 


52  DISCIPLINE 

(1)  Active  Itinerants  are  those  who  are  engaged  in  the 
active  ministry  of  the  Church. 

(2)  Superannuated  Itinerants  are  those  who  from  age  or 
physical  infirmities  are  unable  to  pursue  the  regular  work 
of  the  ministry. 

(3)  Supernumerary  Itinerants  are  those  for  whom  the 
Conference  and  the  Church,  for  the  time  being,  are  not  able 
to  furnish  ministerial  work,  or  who  by  theiir  own  request, 
or  otherwise,  have  been  given  such  relation. 

Local  Preachers. 

5.  Local  Preachers  are  those  who  have  been  admitted  to 
the  itinerancy,  and  have  been  granted  a  local  relation. 

Class — Hoiv  Determined. 

G.  The  annual  conference  shall  determine  to  which  of 
the  foregoing  classes  each  minister  shall  belong.  Should 
an  itinerant  leave  in  an  irregular  way  the  work  assigned 
him,  he  shall  forfeit  his  standitng  as  an  itinerant. 

Evangelists. 
7.  No  preacher  shall  be  recognized  as  an  evangelist  un- 
less he  is  so  authorized  by  the  annual  conference  to  which 
he  belongs  or  by  the  General  Board  of  Home  Missions.  He 
shall  report  his  work  annually  to  the  conference  or  Board 
of  Home  Missions. 


Section  VI. 
Elders. 

1.  After  a  probation  of  four  years,  a  licentiate  preacher 
may  be  presented  to  the  annual  conference  for  elder's  or- 
ders ;  whereupon  the  bishop  shall  propose  to  the  conference 
the   following   questions  : 

Questions    Regarding    a    Candidate. 

2.  (1)      Is  he  blameless   touching  the   marriage   state? 

(2)  Is  his  deportment  in  the  social  circle  marked  with 
watchful  sobriety? 

(3)  Is  he  hospitable  toward  the  afflicted  and  needy? 

(4)  Is  he  faithful  in  the  public  ministration  of  God's 
word,  and  diligent  in   reading  and  study? 

(5)  Is  his  household  subject  to  rules  of  piety? 

3.  Should  the  foregoing  questions  be  answered  in  the  af- 
firmative, a  committee  of  three  or  five  elders  shall  be  ap- 


MxNISrKY  OF  THE   CHURCH  53 

pointed,  before  whom  the  candidate  shall  appear  and  pass  an 
examination  on  the  subjects  suggested  by  the  following 
questions  : 

Committee  Examination. 

4.  (1)  What  are  your  reasons  for  believing  the  Biblfe 
to  be  the  word  of  God? 

(2)  What  proofs  can  you  give  of  the  fall  of  man  by 
transgression  ? 

(3)  What  evidences  can  you  give  of  the  redemption  of 
man  by  Jesus  Christ? 

(4)  Do  you  believe  in  the  deity  of  Jesus  Christ? 

(5)  What  foundation  have  you  for  such  a  belief? 

(6)  Do  you  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost  as  presented  in 
our  Confession  of  Faith? 

(7     Upon  what  evidence  do  you  believe  this? 
(8)      Do  you  believe   the  doctrine  of  the  future  state  as 
set  forth  in  our  Confession  of  Faith? 

Duties  of  the  Committee. 

5.  The  committee  shall  have  the  right  to  propose  any 
question  touching  the  answers  given,  if  said  answers  should 
be  unsatisfactory.  It  shall  also  be  their  duty  to  prepare, 
sign,  and  deliver  to  the  conference  a  report  of  each  case 
which  may  have  been  before  them. 

Election  to  Elders'  Orders. 

6.  If  the  committee  finds  the  candidate  worthy,  he  may  be 
elected  to  ordination  by  a  majority  of  the  elders  of  the 
conference. 

Functions  of  an  Elder. 

7.  The  functions  of  an  elder  are  to  preach  the  gospel,  to 
administer  the  sacraments '  of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  sup- 
per^ to  solemnize  marriages,  to  perform  all  parts  of  divine 
service,  to  be  an  example  to  others  by  himself  following  the 
Savior's  example ;  and  in  a  very  special  manner  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  an  elder  to  cherish  and  encourage  young 
ministers,  and  always  to  be  looking  for  those  whom  God 
has  called  to  preach,  encouraging  them  in  making  the  fullest 
possible  preparation   for  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry. 


54  DISCIPLINE 

Section  VII. 

CONFERENCE    SUPERINTENDENTS. 

Their  Election. 

1.  Each  annual  conference  shall  have  one  or  more  super- 
intendents who  shall  be  elected  annually  by  ballot,  a  major- 
itty   being  necessary    to    an   election. 

Council  of  Administration. 

2.  Each  annual  conference  having  one  superintendent 
may  also  elect  an  advisory  board  to  be  known  as  the 
Council  of  Administration,  cous'Jsting  of  two  ministers  and 
two  laymen,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  meet  with  the  con- 
ference superintendent  quarterly  and  review  the  work  and 
administration  of  pastors  and  adviise  with  the  conference 
supeiintendent  concerning  all  the  administrative  work  of 
the  conference. 

Blank  Reports. 

3.  For  the  use  of  conference  superintendents  and  coun- 
cils of  administration  a  uniform  system  of  blanks  shall  be 
prepared  for  quarterly  reports  of  pastors. 

Report   to   the  Bishop. 

4.  Each  conference  superintendent  shall  make  a  quarterly 
report  to  his  bishop,  giving  an  exhibit  of  the  work  of  the 
quarter  by  charges,  alphabetically  arranged,  together  with 
such  other  matters  of  interest  as  will  enable  the  bishop  to 
give  the  best  possible  oversight  to  all  the  activities  of  the 
Church  throughout  his   district. 

Suppo7't  of  Conference  Superintendents. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  several  annual  conferences 
to  make  such  regulations  for  the  support  of  superintendents 
as  they   think  best. 

Duties  of  the  Conference  Superintendent. 

6.  The  duties  of,  a  conference  superintendent  are  to 
superintend  the  work  of  the  conference,  to  preach  as  often 
as  practicable,  give  careful  attention  to  evangelism,  and 
look  after  all  of  the  general  interests  of  the  denomination. 

7.  He  shall  appoint  quarterly  conferences  and  attend 
them  when  practicable.  He  shall  counsel  with  his  pastors 
faithfully     and     offer     them     every     assistance     within     his 


MINISTRY  OF  THE  CHURCH  55 

power.     He  may  call  extra  sessions  of  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence. 

8.  The  conference  superintendent  shall  earnestly  en- 
deavor to  arouse  the  membership  of  the  Church  to  a  more 
uniform  performance  of  their  duties  on  a  minimum  salary 
of  six  hundred  dollars  and  parsonage  on  each  charge,  and 
shall  suggest  the  most  practicable  means  for  securing  the 
same. 

9.  At  the  last  quarterly  conference  of  each  year,  the 
conference  superintendent  shall  examine  the  boards  of  trus- 
tees of  church-houses  and  parsonages  as  to  their  having  pro- 
cured articles  of  incorporation  according  to  the  laws  of  the 
State  and  the  regulations  of  the  Church,  and  shall  give  such 
instructions  as   may  be   necessary. 

10.  Each  superintendent  shall  make  a  report,  in  writing, 
of  his  district,   annually,   to  the  annual  conference. 

Vacancies. 

11.  Should  any  conference,  through  death,  resignation,  or 
otherwise,  be  without  a  superintendent,  information  shall 
be  immediately  given  to  the  bishop,  who  shall  appoint  a 
superintendent  in  said  district  until  the  ensuing  annual 
conference. 

Poiver  to  Exclxange  Pastors. 

12.  Should  it  become  desirable  to  exchange  the  pastors 
of  two  charges  in  a  conference,  the  superintendent  may,  in 
conjunction  with  two  elders,  preachers,  lay  preachers,  or 
leaders    (one  from  each  charge),   change  said  pastors. 

Poiver  to  Dismiss  Pastors. 

13.  The  superintendent  may,  in  conjunction  with  the 
quarterly  conference,  dismiss  a  pastor  from  his  charge  for 
inefficiency  or  neglect  of  duty. 

14.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  fill  all  vacancies  in  the  pas- 
torates of  the  conference. 


Section  VIII. 

BISHOPS. 

Election  of  Bishops. 
1.     Bishops   of   the   Church   shall   be    elected   every    four 
years  by  the  General  Conference. 


56  DISCIPLINE 

Salaries  of  Bishops. 

2.  The  General  Conference  shall  fix  the  salaries  of  the 
bishops  which  shall  be  included  in  the  general  budget  of  the 
denomination. 

Districts  of  Bishops. 

3.  The  assignment  of  bishops  to  their  respective  districts 
shall  be  made  by  a  committee  of  three  from  each  district 
to  be  chosen  by  the  delegates  of  the  district  assembled  for 
that  purpose.  Each  bishop  shall  reside  within  the  bounds 
of  the  district  to  which  he  its  assigned.  This  item  shall  not 
apply  to  the  bishop  of  a  foreign  district. 

Duties  of  Bishops. 

4.  The  bishops  of  the  Church  shall  preside  over  the 
General  and  annual  conferences,  fix  and  announce  the 
dates  of  the  annual' conferences,  and  have  general  super- 
vision and  direction  of  the  varied  interests  and  institutions 
of  the  denomination.  They  shall  also  seek  to  promote  unity 
and  continuity  in  the  administrative  activities  of  super- 
intendents and  pastors  throughout  the  Church,  and  see  to  it, 
as  far  as  may  be  practicable,  that  all  the  provisions  of  the 
Discipline  are  faithfully  observed ;  they  shall  report  annual- 
ly in  the  Church  press  the  condition  and  progress  of  the 
Church  in  their  respective  districts.  They  shall  also  deliver 
suitable  sermons  and  addresses  to  their  respective  annual 
conferences. 

The  Board  of  Bishops. 

5.  The  bishops  shall  hold  annual  meetings,  at  which  time 
they  shall  decide  questions  of  Church  Discipline,  adopt  and 
recommend  policies  of  administration  for  the  promotion  of 
the  institutions  and  enterprises  of  the  denomination.  They 
shall  present  a  quadrennial  address  to  the  General  Confer- 
ence with  such  a  review  of  the  work  and  achievements  of 
the  Church  during  the  quadrennium,  and  with  such  recom- 
mendations as  they  may  deem  expedient  and  helpful  to  the 
Church.  They  shall  also  have  the  authority  to  appoint 
special  days  to  be  observed  in  the  interest  of  worthy  causes.* 


*The  Bishops  sball  hold  annual  meetings  in  which  they  shall 
detei'mine  the  time  of  holding  the  annual  conferences  ;  adopt 
measures  to  secure  uniformity  in  their  administration  ;  and 
when  circumstances  demand  it,  appoint  fasts  and  thanksgiving 
seasons,  give  counsel  upon  the  general  interests  of  the  church 
and  shall  decide  questions  of  discipline :  provided  :  that  when 
the  minutes  of  the  General  Conference  show  the  adoption  of  a 
resolution    or    motion,    the    provisions    of    which    are    in    conflict 


MINISTRY  OF  THE   CHURCH  57 

The  Ordination  of  Licentiates. 

6.  Licentiates  who  have  served  their  probation  in  the 
annual  conferences  and  have  completed  their  courses  of 
study  and  preparation  for  the  exercise  of  the  full  functilons 
of  the  ministry,  shall  be  given  ordination  by  the  bishops 
at  the  annual  conferences,  and  at  such  other  times  and 
places  as  circumstances  and  needs  may  require. 

Superintendents'  Association. 

7.  The  bishop  of  any  district  may  call  together,  annually, 
the  superintendents  of  his  district,  at  some  suitable  place, 
for  the  purpose  of  consultation,  and  planning  for  the  jpro- 
motion  of  the  interests  of  the  Church.  The  bishop  shall 
be  chairman  ex  officio  of  this  gathering,  and  shall  direct  in 
the  organization  of  an  association  which  shall  have  a  vice- 
president,  a  secretary-treasurer,  and  such  other  officers  and 
committees  as  may  be  desired.  Each  annual  conference 
represented  within  the  district  shall  be  entitled  to  one  vote 
in  all  business  transactions.  The  annual  conferences  are 
advised  to  provide  for  the  payment  of  the  expenses  of  their 
superintendents  in  attending  the  association  meetings. 

Calling  Special  Annual   Conferences. 

8.  When  requested  to  do  so  by  a  majority  of  the  mem- 
bers of  any  annual  conference,  the  bishop  of  the  district  shall 
reconvene   said   conference  in   special   session. 

Organization  of  Mission  Conferences. 

9.  Whenever  it  is  deemed  desirable  to  organize  a  Mission 
Conference,  a  bishop,  in  conjunction  with  either  of  the 
boards  of  missions,  (Home  or  Foreign),  shall  have  the  power 
to  organize  such  a  conference  in  either  home  or  foreiga 
fields. 

Missionary   Oversight. 

10.  Tlie  bishops  shall  confer  with  conference  superin- 
tendents and  pastors  in  suggesting  plans  and  methods  for 
the  awakening  of  interest  in  home  and  foreign  missions,  and 
shall  devote  as  much  of  their  time  as  practicable  in  visiting 

with  the  provisions  of  the  Discipline  and  which  resolution  oc 
motion  does  not  expressly  repeal  or  amend  said  provisions  of 
tlie  Discipline,  then  the  provisions  of  tlie  Discipline  shall  stand 
as  the  law  or  enactment  of  this  conference  ;  and  provided  fur- 
ther,- that  in  case  of  inconsistent  resolutions  not  affecting 
existing  provisions  of  the  Discipline  the  one  last  adopted  shall 
stand  as  the  enactment  of  the  General  Conference. — Adopted 
from   the  report  of  the  Judiciary  Committee. 


58  DISCIPLINE 

mission  fields  and  to  the  opening  of  new  missions  in  inviting 
places. 

AGCountahility  of  Bishops. 

11.  The  bishops  of  the  Church  shall  be  amenable  to  the 
General  Conference  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  their 
official  duties.  Their  administration  and  services  in  the 
general  superintendence  of  the  varied  interests  of  the  de- 
nomination shall  be  subject  to  review  the  same  as  other 
administrative  officers,  at  the  quadrennial  meetings  of  the 
General  Conference. 

Vacancy  in  a  BisJiop^s  District. 

12.  In  case  of  a  vacancy  in  the  office  of  bishop  in  any  dis- 
trict occurs  during  the  first  three  years  of  the  quadrennium 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  remaining  bishops  to  hold  an 
election  by  letter  ballot ;  all  members  of  the  preceding 
General  Conference,  who  are  members  of  the  church,  voting. 
The  Publishing  Agent  shall  provide  and  send  out  the  blank 
ballots,  and  return-stamped  envelopes  under  the  direction 
of  the  Board  of  Bishops.  The  Board  of  Biishops  shall 
appoint  a  board  of  tellers,  three  in  number,  from  the  mem- 
bership of  the  Church  in  the  vicinity  of  Dayton,  Ohio.  The 
ballots  shall  be  turned  over  to  them  by  the  Publishing 
Agent,  as  directed  by  the  bishops.  The  bishops  shall  set  a 
date  when  the  ballots  must  be  in,  and  also  when  and  where 
the  ballots  must  be  counted  by  the  tellers,  these  two  dates 
to  be  printed  on  the  ballots  sent  out  to  the  delegates.  The 
tellers  shall  certify  the  entire  vote  to  the  bishops,  and 
they  shall  announce  the  election  of  the  person  receiving  a 
majority  of  the  votes  cast.  In  case  no  election  occurs  on 
the  first  ballot,  other  ballots  shall  be  taken  until  some  one 
receives  a  majority  vote.  In  case  a  vacancy  occurs  during 
the  last  year  of  the  quadrennium  the  remaining  bishops 
shall  divide  the  work  of  the  district  among  themselves  for 
the  remainder  of  the  quadrennium. 

FOREIGN    FIELD. 

13.  The  foreign  fields  shall  be  under  the  supervision  of 
the  Board  of  Bishops,  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  and 
the  Woman's  Missionary  Association  conjointly. 

STATIONING   OF   PREACHERS. 

14.  For  stationing  pastors,  see  "Stationing  Committe'e," 
page  65. 


-*  MINISTRY  OF  THE   CHURQH  59 

COUNCIL   MEETINGS. 

15.  The  secretary  or  manager  of  each  department  of 
Church  work,  to  wit :  Publishing  House,  Home  Missions, 
Foreign  Missions,  ^Yoman's  Missionary  Association,  Chris- 
tian Stewardship,  Sunday  School  and  Brotherhood,  Young 
People's  Work,  Church  Erection,  Theological  Seminary,  and 
Education,  shall  meet  annually  with  the  Board  of  Bishops 
to  consult,  to  harmonize,  and  to  plan  the  work  of  "the 
Church. 


Section  IX. 

TRIAL   OF  preachers. 

Quarterly  Conference  and  Lay. 
1.  .  Whenever  a  quarterly  conference  minister,  or  lay 
preacher,  is  accused  of  conduct  unworthy  of  such  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  Church,  -the  pastor  of  the  charge  where 
such  preacher  holds  his  membership,  shall  appoint  one  or 
more  disinterested  persons  as  a  committee,  to  inquire  into 
the  complaints,  and  if  grounds  for  charges  are  found,  and 
the  accused  fails  to  satisfy  the  committee,  charges  shall  be 
filed  and  reported  to  the  next  quarterly  conference  of  which 
the  accused  is  a  member,  and  the  quarterly  conference  shall 
appoint  a  prosecutor,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  notify  the 
accused  to  choose  a  committeeman,  the  prosecutor  choos- 
ing a  committeeman,  in  behalf  of  the  Church,  and  these  two 
a  third,  all  of  whom  shall  be  members  of  the  Church,  before 
which  committee  the  case  shall  be  tried.  The  prosecutor 
shall  notify  the  pastor  of  the  charge  when  said  committee 
has  been  properly  formed,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
pastor  to  appoint  the  time  and  place  of  trial ;  giving  not 
less  than  ten  nor  more  than  twenty  days'  notice ;  and  he 
shall  also  act  as  chairman  in  the  case.  If  a  majority  of  the 
committee  be  satisfied  that  the  accusation  is  sustained,  the 
chairm.an  shall  require  the  accused  to  hold  his  peace 
until  the  quarterly  conference,  Avhere  the  accused  shall  be 
accountable,  and  it  shall  be  the  dutj'^  of  the  committee  to 
transmit  in  written  form  the  proceedings  and  findings  of 
said  trial  to  the  quarterly  conference,  and  if  the  findings 
are  sustained,  the  accused  shall  be  suspended,  expelled,  or 
otherwise  dealt  with,  as  the  quarterlj^  conference  maj^  deter- 
mine. But  should  the  accused,  after  being  duly  notified, 
refuse,    or   neglect,    or    fail    to    choose    a    committeeman,    the 


00  .  DISCIPLINE 

quarterly    conference    shall    appoint    a    committee    of    three 
persons,  who  shall  hear  the  case  and  decide. 

Annual  Conference  Preachers. 

2.  When  a  preacher  or  elder  is  accused  of  immorality, 
trespass,  imprudent  conduct,  or  disobedience  to  the  order 
and  discipline  of  the  Church,  the  superintendent  of  the  dis- 
trict, in  the  bounds  of  which  the  accused  shall  reside  or  hold 
membership,  shall  appoint  a  preacher,  wiio  shall  take  with 
him  another  preacher  or  leader,  and  examine  into  the  charge, 
following  the  Apostle's  instruction  (I.  Tim.  5:  19)  :  "Against 
an  elder  receive  not  an  accusation,  but  before  two  or  three 
witnesses."  If  it  should  appear  that  said  reports  are  well 
founded,  th6  examiners  shall  prefer  charges  against  the  ac- 
cused ;  if  not,  he  shall  report  to  the  next  quarterly  confer- 
ence, of  which  the  accused  is  a  member,  that  he  found  no 
cause  for  action.  If  charges  are  preferred,  the  quarterly 
conference  shall  appoint  a  prosecutor,  whose  duty  it  shall^ 
be  to  notify  the  accused  in  writing,  setting  forth  all  the 
charges  preferred  against  him.  He  shall  also  notify  him 
to  choose  an  elder  as  his  committeeman,  the  prosecutor 
choosing  an  elder  as  committeeman  in  behalf  of  the  Church, 
and  these  two  a  third  elder  or  preacher,  before  which  com- 
mittee the  case  shall  be  tried.  The  prosecutor  shall  also 
notify  the  superintendent  of  the  district,  and  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  superintendent  to  appoint  the  time  and 
place  of  trial,  g:/ving  not  less  than  twenty  nor  more  than 
thirty  days'  notice  to  the  parties  concerned,  and  he  shall 
also  act  as  chairman  in  the  case.  Should  a  majority  of  the 
committee  be  satisfied  that  the  accusation  is  sustained,  and 
he  is  found  guilty  of  a  serious  offense,  they  shall  require 
him  to  hold  his  peace  until  the  annual  conference,  where  he  , 
shall  be  accountable,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  com- 
mittee to  transmit  in  writing,  the  entire  proceedings  of  said 
triial,  to  the  annual  conference,  where  the  accused  shall  have 
a  hearing  before  the  conference,  or  a  committee  thereof ;  and 
if  the  findings  are  sustained,  he  shall  be  suspended,  expelled, 
or  otherwise  dealt  with,  as  the  conference  may  determine. 

But  should  the  accused,  after  having  been  duly  notified, 
refuse  or  neglect  to  comply  in  choosing  his  commiitteeman 
and  notifying  the  prosecutor  within  fifteen  days,  the  con- 
ference superintendent  shall  suspend  him  until  the  annual 
conference,  where,  if  he  shall  refuse  to  appear,  he  shall  be 
dealt  with  according  to  the  judgment  of  the  conference ;  pro- 


MINISTRY  OF  THE   CHURCH  61 

vided,  however,  if  he  be  an  elder,  elders  only  shall  vote  in 
the  case ;  and  provided  further,  that  if  the  committeemen 
chosen  by  the  prosecutor  and  accused  fail  to  agree  as  to  the 
third  member  of  the  committee,  then  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence shall  appoint  said  committeeman.  If  the  accused  or 
prosecutor  be  a  conference  superintendent  or  bishop,  the 
conference  superintendent  or  bishop,  as  the  case  may  be, 
next  adjoining  shall  act  as  chairman  in  the  trial ;  provided, 
that  in  conferences  having  only  one  conference  superintend- 
ent the  bishop  shall  appoint  a  chairman  to  act  in  the  case. 

3.  The  foregoing  relates  only  to  annual  conference  mem- 
bers. 

Trial  of  Bishops  and  Conference  Superintendents. 

4.  When  a  conference  superintendent  shall  be  accused 
of  any  misdemeanor,  immoral  conduct,  or  disobedience  to 
the  order  and  discipline  of  the  Church,  the  bishop  of  the 
district,  in  the  bounds  of  which  the  accused  shall  reside  or 
hold  membership,  shall  appoint  a  committee  of  three  elders, 
who  shall  examine  into  the  complaints,  and  should  the  ac- 
cused be  a  bishop,  then  the  Board  of  Bishops  shall  appoint 
a  like  committee.  If  it  shall  appear  that  said  complaints 
are  well  founded,  the  committee  shall  prefer  charges  against 
the  accused  ;  if  not,  the  committee  shall  report  to  his  quar- 
terly conference  that  they  found  no  grounds  for  action.  If 
charges  are  preferred  his  quarterly  conference  shall  appoint 
a  prosecutor,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  notify  the  accused, 
in  writing,  setting  forth  all  the  charges  preferred  against 
him.  He  shall  also  notify  him  to  choose  a  committeeman, 
the  prosecutor  choosing  a  committeeman  in  behalf  of  the 
Church,  and  these  two  a  third,  all  of  whom  shall  be  elders, 
before  whom  the  case  shall  be  tried.  The  prosecutor  shall 
also  notify  the  bishop  or  Board  of  Bishops,  and  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  bishop  or  the  Board  of  Bishops  to  appoint  the 
time  and  place  of  trial,  giving  not  less  than  twenty  nor 
more  than  forty  days"  notice.  The  bishop,  or  some  one 
appointed  by  the  Board  of  Bishops,  shall  act  as  chairman 
in  the  case.  Should  a  majority  of  the  committee  be  satisfied 
that  the  accusation  is  sustained,  they  shall  require  him  to 
hold  his  peace  until  the  sitting  of  his  conference,  where  he 
shall  be  accountable,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  com- 
mittee to  transmit,  in  writing,  to  said  conference,  the  entire 
proceedings  of  said  trial,  where  the  accused  shall  have  a 
hearing  before  the  conference  or  a  committee  thereof,   and 


62  DISCIPLINE 

if  the  findings  are  sustained,  he  shall  be  suspended,  expelled, 
or  otherwise  dealt  with,  as  the  conference  may  determine. 

Section  X. 

MARRIAGE WHO   MAY   SOLEMNIZE. 

1.  All  ordained  ministers. 

2.  All  annual-conference  ministers,  w^here  the  law  of  the 
State  makes  it  the  privilege  of  every  regularly  licensed 
minister  to  solemnize  marriage,  are  authorized  to  solemnize 
marriage  ;  but  none  having  quarterly  conference  license  only 
are  permitted  to  do  so,  other  than  those  serving  a  regular 
charge. 

Section  XI. 

PREACHERS'    DUTIES    IN    GENERAL. 

1.  The  duties  of  preachers  are,  to  preach  Christ  cruci- 
fied ;  to  organize  churches,  and  report  the  same  to  annual 
conferences ;  converse  with  the  members  on  their  spiritual 
condition ;  administer  relief ;  strengthen  and  direct  those 
that  are  afflicted  or  labor  under  temptations ;  animate  the 
indolent ;  endeavor  as  much  as  possible  to  edify  and  instruct 
all  in  faith,  in  the  Christian  virtues,  and  in  the  knowledge 
of  Jesus  Christ ;  visit  the  sick ;  and  strive  to  enforce  and 
confirm  the  doctrines  they  preach  by  a  well-ordered  and 
exemplary  life. 

2.  The  pastor  of  a  member  moving  from  one  charge  to 
another  is  required  immediately  to  send  the  transfer  of 
said  member  to  the  pastor  of  the  charge  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren Church  to  which  he  has  moved,  unless  the  member  mov- 
ing beforehand  requests  that  his  membership  remain  with 
his  home  church. 

Directions  to  Preachers. 

8.     Let  preachers  heed  the  following  directions : 

(1)  Be  diligent.  Never  trifle  away  your  time.  Alwaj^s 
be  discreet.  Let  your  motto  be,  "Holiness  unto  the 
Lord."  Avoid  all  vain  conversation,  conduct  yourself  pru- 
dently, and  demean  yourself  in  all  respects  as  a  true  Chris- 
tian. Be  at  all  times  averse  to  crediting  evil  reports.  Be- 
lieve evil  of  no  one  without  good  evidence.  Put  the  best 
construction  on  everything. 

(2)  Speak  evil  of  no  one.  Whatever  may  be  your 
thoughts,    keep    th(^m    within    your    own    breast    until    you 


MINISTRY  OF  THE   CHURCH  63 

can  tell  the  person  concerned  what  you  think  wrong  in  his 
conduct. 

(3)  Let  your  business  be  to  save  as  many  souls  as 
possible.  To  this  employment  give  yourself  up  wholly. 
Visit  those  who  need  it,  and  act  in  all  things,  not  accord- 
ing to  your  own  will,  but  as  sons  in  the  gospel ; .  for  as 
such  it  becomes  your  duty  to  employ  your  time  in  the 
manner  prescribed,  in  preaching,  and  in  visiting  from 
house  to  house,  in  instruction  and  prayer,  and  in  medita- 
tion on  the  Word  of  God.  With  these  things  be  occupied 
until  our  Lord  shall  come. 

Preachers  not  to  Trespass. 
4.  No  preacher  shall  arbitrarily  organize  a  pastoral 
charge  within  the  limits  of  a  circuit  or  conference  district, 
or  shall  receitve  compensation  for  labor  performed,  without 
the  consent  of  the  preacher  in  charge  ;  nor  shall  any  minis- 
ter preaching  in  a  different  language  accept  a  call  from 
any  regularly-organized  class  or  congregation  which  does 
not  belong  to  his  conference,  without  the  consent  of  the 
annual  conference  to  which  the  charge  making  the  request 
may  belong.  Any  preacher  violating  the  provisions  of 
this  section  shall  be  amenable  to  his  quarterly  or  annual 
conference. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Itinerancy. 

Section  I. 

ITINERANTS. 

How  Constituted. 

1.  All  members  of  the  Annual  Conference  who  offer  them- 
selves without  reserve,  after  having  labored  two  years  under 
the  direction  of  the  stationing  committee  of  conference  sup- 
erintendent, and  have  been  received  by  vote  of  two-thiirds 
of  the  members  of  conference,  shall  be  recognized  as  itin- 
erants. 

Withdrawing  from  the  Itinerancy. 

2.  If  any  one  who  is  thus  received  shall  withdraw  from 
active  work  without  giving  satisfaction  to  the  conference  of 
which  he  is  a  member,  he  shall  not  be  entitled  to  any  sup- 
port from  the  funds  belonging  to  said  conference.  And, 
furthermore,  he  shall  not  reenter  the  itinerancy  without  the 
consent  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  conference.  Yet  super- 
numerary and  superannuated  relations  shall  be  duly  recog- 
nized as  proper  disciplinary  relations,  and  may  be  secured 
to  any  brother  having  just  claims  thereto,  by  a  vote  of  the 
conference. 

Pastor''s'  Resignation. 

3.  If  a  pastor  after  duly  entering  upon  the  work  assigned 
him  should  desire  to  leave  the  same  for  any  reason,  he  shall 
inform  the  conference  superintendent  of  hits  intentions,  in 
writing,  at  least  thirty  days  before  his  resignation  is  Lo 
take  effect,  and  satisfy  him  that  hiB  full  proportion  of  the 
benevolences  have  been  secured  in  cash  or  good  subscrip- 
tions and  that  all  other  obligations  to  the  charge  have  been 
satisfactorily  adjusted ;  and  should  said  minister  leave  or 
neglect  his  charge,  except  iit  be  through  sickness  or  other 
unavoidable  circumstances,  he  shall  be  accountable  to  the 
next  annual  conference. 

64 


ITINERANCY  65 

Stationing  Committee. 

4.  The  bishop  aucl  conference  superintendents  of  the  past 
and  present  years  shall  constitute  a  stationing  committee, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  supply  all  the  circuits,  stations, 
and  missions,  as  far  as  practicable,  from  the  list  of  itin- 
ei'ants  ;  provided,  however,  that  where  there  is  but  one  con- 
ference superintendent  on  the  committee,  the  conference  may 
elect  to  the  same  one  or  more  elders  from  the  elders  not 
asking  for  work  from  said  committee. 

5.  The  stationing  committee  shall  have  at  least  two 
meetings  before  its  work  is  completed. 

AppQal  from  Stationing  Committee's  Report. 
(),  If  any  of  the  preachers  thus  stationed,  or  any  who 
iviiy  not  receive  an  appointment  are  dissatisfied,  they  shall 
have  a  right  to  appeal  to  the  annual  conference.  If  two- 
thirds  grant  the  appeal,  the  decisions  shall  be  final.  In  case 
of  an  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  stationing  committee, 
no  preacher  stationed  by  said  committee  shall  be  changed, 
witliout  his  consent,  to  accommodate  the  preacher  making 
such  appeal.  In  no  case  shall  preachers  be  permitted  to 
exchange  charges,  except  in  the  manner  provided  for  in  par- 
agraph 12  of  Section  VII.,  of  Chapter  VI.,  page  55. 

Employment  of  Other  Preachers. 

7.  Should  there  not  be  enough  itinerants  to  supply  all 
the  circuits,  stations,  and  missions,  the  remaining  charges 
shall  be  supplied  by  the  stationing  committee  or  conference 
superi'ntendents. 

Pastoral  Charges. 

8.  A  circuit  or  station  shall  not  consist  of  any  specific 
number  of  members  or  appointments  ;  l)ut  when  the  annual 
conference  judges  it  able  to  support  a  minister,  it  may  be 
so   recognized. 

9.  Tlie  pastor  shall  have  full  control  of  hiis  pulpit,  and 
no  board  of  trustees  shall  permit  any  one  to  preach  therein 
without  his  consent. 


Section  II. 

DUTIES   OF  ITINERANTS. 

1.     It  is   the  duty  of  an   itinerant  preacher   to   take   the 
charge  assigned  him,  and  to  move  to  it  if  practicable, 


tJ6  DISCIPLINE 

2.  He  shall  visit  regularly  the  appointmeuls  on  his 
fharge,  preach  to  the  people,  aud  hold  class-meetings  when- 
ever practicable,  and  whenever  possible  organize  aud  main- 
tain Young  People's  Christian  societies. 

Revision  of  Church  Records. 

3.  He,  iin  connection  with  the  official  board,  shall  at 
least  one  month  before  annual  conference  revise  the  church 
records.  The  duties  of  the  committee  on  revision  shall  be 
essentially  clerical,  and  the  name  of  no  member  shall  be 
erased  from  the  records  unless  the  disciplinary  steps  shall 
have  been  taken.  (See  Chapter  IV.,  Section  II.,  paragraph 
17,  page  24 ;  Chapter  IV.,  Section  III.,  page  26 ;  aud  Chap- 
ter v.,  Section   I.,  paragraph  3,  page  30. 

Annual  Reorganization. 

4.  He,  in  connection  with  the  official  board, — shall,  at  the 
time  when  the  records  are  revised,  appoint  a  steward  or 
stewards,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  class.  He  shall 
hold  a  meeting  of  the  class  and  see  that  a  class-leader  is 
elected. 

Presiding  at  Trials. 

5.  He  shall  sit  as  president  at  the  trial  of  members  aud 
see  that  a  correct  record  of  the  same  is  kept. 

Reports. 

6.  He  shall  render  a  strict  account  (as  indicated  in 
Form  18,  page  212)  of  his  work  at  each  quarterly  confer- 
ence, where  he  is  to  be  held  accountable  for  neglect  of 
duty. 

Circulation  of  Literature. 

7.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  use  every  laudable  effort  to 
circulate  our  books  and  Church  periodicals,  and  to  use  due 
diligence  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  Church  Printing 
Establishment. 

8.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  keep  a  IJst  of  the  names  of  all 
the  subscribers  to  our  Church  periodicals,  aud  the  timft 
of  subscribing,  at  the  different  appointments  on  his  charge, 
and  hand  it  over  to  his  successor  at  the  annual  conference, 
with  the  list  of  the  appointments.  He  shall  also  report 
the  number  of  subscribers  to  our  periodicals  ou  his  charge 
at  each  quarterly  conference,  and  be  examined  by  the  con- 
ference    superintendent     and     quarterly     conference     as     to 


ITINERANCY  67 

whether  he  performs  his  duty  in  circulating  the  periodicals 
of  the  Church  among  the  people. 

Dismissal  of  Appointments. 

9.  A  preacher  is  not  permitted  to  dismiss  any  appoint- 
ment from  his  circuit  or  mission  without  the  consent  of  the 
quarterly  conference. 

Records. 

10.  He  shall  procure  a  suitable  book  foe  a  church  rec- 
ord, in  which  he  shall  register  all  the  appointments  and 
classes  on  his  circuit,  station,  or  mission,  in  regular  order, 
with  the  name  of  each  member  properly  recorded  in  con- 
nection with  his  own  class.  He  shall  also  make  a  record 
of  all  baptisms,  marriages,  deaths,  and  proceedings  of 
church  trials,  with  the  names  of  all  the  parties  in  each  case. 
He  shall  report  this  record  with  the  proceedings  therein  to 
the  last  quarterly  conference  of  each  year  for  approval  or 
improvement.  This  book  shall  be  the  property  of  the 
quarterly  conference,  and  shall  be  in  addition  to  the  regular 
class-books  and  circuit  books. 

General  Collections. 

11.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  preacher  in  charge  of 
a  field  of  labor  to  collect  the  annual  amounts  apportioned 
to  his  charge  for  the  benevolence  budget  and  conference 
superintendents,  and  also  all  other  conference  apportion- 
ments. And  should  he  fail  to  collect  in  full  and  not  be  able 
to  give  satisfactory  reason  for  such  a  failure,  he  shall  be 
accountable  to  the  annual  conference. 

Missionary  Contributions. 

12.  He  shall  preach  missionary  sermons,  and  by  a  careful 
study  of  conditions  use  such  plans  as  shall  educate  his 
people  in  the  privilege  of  gi)ving,  and  secure  the  largest  pos- 
sible contributions.  He  shall  be  held  to  strict  account  for 
the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties.  The  publication  of 
the  names  of  the  donors  shall  be  left  to  the  option  of  each 
annual  conference. 

Pastoral  Visiting. 

13.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  preacher  in  charge  of  a 
station  or  circuit  to  give  as  much  of  his  time  as  possible 
to  visiting  the  families  under  his  charge,  and  to  pay  strict 
attention    to    the    young    members    under    his    care.    This 


68  DISCIPLINE 

private  work  of  visiting  from  house  to  lioiise  and  exhorting 
the  people  is  founded  on  these  solemn  words  of  the  apostle : 
"I  kept  back  nothing  that  was  profitable  unto  you,  but 
have  shewed  you,  and  have  taught  you  publicly,  and  from 
house  to  house"   (Acts  20:20). 

Home  Training  of  Children. 
14.  Because  of  the  powerful  and  far-reaching  influence 
of  home  life  upon  the  young,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  each 
pastor  to  direct  the  attention  of  his  people  to  the  vital 
importance  of  family  government  and  Christian  nurture. 
He  shall  do  this  publicly  and  privately  by  directing  atten- 
tion to  books  and  periodicals  giving  helpful  instruction  upon 
this  subject,  and  also  by  presenting  in  his  public  ministra- 
tions the  teachings  of  God's  Word  respecting  the  duty  of 
parents  to  train  up  their  children  in  the  nurture  and  ad- 
monition of   the   Lord. 

Evangelistic   Work. 
Organization. 

1.  There  shall  be  a  general  Evangelistic  Commission,  con- 
sisting of  the  secretary  of  the  Home  Mission  Board,  the 
secretary  of  the  Stewardship  Commission,  and  four  minis- 
ters and  four  laymen  to  be  elected  by  the  General  Confer- 
ence. The  work  of  this  commission  shall  be,  first,  to 
arrange  for  the  employment  and  support  of  evangelists  to 
work  in  the  church  at  large  and  to  provide  and  send  out 
such  literature  as  will  arouse  a  greater  interest  in  this 
department.  Second,  to  co-operate  with  the  interdenomi- 
national commission  on  evangelism  in  recommending  evan- 
gelists to  represent  our  Church  in  union  evangelism. 

2.  Each  annual  conference  shall  have  an  evangelistic 
committee  consisting  of  the  conference  superintendent,  three 
other  ministers  and  three  laymen  elected  by  the  conference, 
which  shall  have  the  oversight  of  the  special  evangelistic 
work  of  the   conference. 

3.  There  shall  be  a  committee  of  three  or  more  in  each 
local  church  who  in  conjunction  with  the  pastor  shall  con- 
stitute a  local  evangelistic  committee  of  which  the  pastor 
shall  be  the  chairman.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  com- 
mittee to  arouse  an  evangelistic  spirit  in  the  local  church, 
and  if  posisible,  to  enlist  every  member  of  the  society  iin 
soul  winning.     This  committee  shall  take  an  annual  census 


ITINERANCY  69 

of  the  locality  in  which  the  church  is  situated,  and  tabulate 
the  result  for  the  use  of  the  church  and  Sunday  school. 

4.  No  person  shall  be  recognized  as  an  evangelist  in  our 
Church  who  has  not  been  appointed  to  such  relation  by  the 
conference  to  which  he  belongs. 

TSvo  classes  of  evangelists  are  to  be  recognized  as  follows  : 
first,  evangelists  at  large  who  may  work  independently  or 
under  direction  of  the  General  Commission ;  and  second, 
conference  evangelists  who  are  employed  by  the  annual  con- 
ference at  a  stated  salary. 

5.  The  expense  of  annual  conference  evangelism  shall  be 
provided  for  by  the  annual  conference ;  provided,  however, 
that  the  evangelist  shall  take  offerings  in  the  meetings  he 
holds  and  report  the  same  to  the  conference  treasurer. 

6.  An  evangelist  shall  study  approved  evangelistic  meth- 
ods so  as  to  be  able  to  teach  and  train  others.  In  additior. 
to  special  evangelistic  meetings  in  the  churches,  camp 
meetings,  and  the  like,  he  shall  be  recognized  as  the  leader 
in  the  evangelistic  features  of  the  annual  conferences,  insti- 
tutes, conventions,  etc.  He  shall  have  the  privilege  of 
spending  at  least  four  weeks  of  the  year  in  attending  Bible 
conferences,  evangelistic  conferences  or  some  places  for  spe- 
cial  preparation. 

Section  III. 

PREACHERS'   SALARIES. 

1.  The  salary  of  a  pastor  shall  be  such  amount  as  may 
be  agreed  upon  between  him  and  the  quarterly  conference 
of  the  field  of  labor  to  which  he  is  sent ;  and  said  agree- 
ment shall  be  a  valid  contract  between  the  parties  there- 
to. When  a  charge  owns  a  parsonage,  or  rents  a  house 
for  the  pastor  to  live  in,  the  charge  shall  have  credit  for 
the  same  by  the  pastor  reporting  as  so  much  salary  the 
amount  the  parsonage  would  rent  for  or  the  amount  paid 
for  the  rented  house. 

2.  A  missionary  employed  by  the  Board  of  Missions 
shall  receive  such  salary  as  in  the  judgment  of  the  Board 
may  be  proper. 

Parsonage  and  Moving  of  Preacher. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  a  circuit  or  station,  when  a 
preacher  is  sent  to  it  by  the  annual  conference,  to  provide 
a  house  and  move  the  preacher  at  its  own  expense  from  any 
poi(nt  within  the  bounds  of  the  conference. 


70  DISCIPLINE 

Section  IV. 

PREACHERS'    PENSION    BUREAU. 

There  shall  be  a  ^general  Pension  Bureau,  under  the 
direction  and  control  of  the  General  Conference  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church,  after  the  following  plan,  to  wit : 

FIRST. 

This  Church  Society  shall  be  called  the  Preachers'  Pen- 
sion Bureau  of  the  llniited  Brethren  in  Christ. 

SECOND. 

Olject. 
The  object  of  this  Bureau  shall  be  to  provide  funds  and 
distribute  the   same   for  the   relief  of  superannuated  minis- 
ters and  their  widows  in  the  Cliurch  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ. 

THIRD. 

The  officers  shall  be  a  President,  a  Secretary,  and  a 
Treasurer,  and  board  of  five  (5)  directors  who  shall  be 
elected  by  the  General  Conference.  The  Board  of  Directors 
shall  consist  of  three  ministers  and  two  laymen  who  shall 
serve  four  years,  without  salary. 

FOURTH. 

The  President  shall  be  elected  by  the  Board  of  Directors 
to  serve  four  years ;  the  General  Treasurer  of  the  Church 
shall  be  the  Treasurer  of  the  Society.  In  case  of  vacancy 
by  death  or  otherwise  of  any  officer  of  the  society  or  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of .  Directors,  the  Board  of  Directors  shall 
fill  such  vacancy. 

FIFTH. 

The  Board  of  Directors  shall  meet  at  the  close  of  the 
General  Conference  and  organiize  by  electing  a  President. 
The  Secretary  of  the  Society  shall  serve  as  Recording  Sec- 
retary at  all  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Directors. 

SIXTH. 

The  Treasurer  shall  receive  and  hold  all  the  funds  of  this 
Society  subject  to  the  order  of  the  Board  of  Directors.  He 
shall  receipt  the  treasurer  of  the  annual  conference  and 
rjthers  for  all  funds  received  from  them  and  take  receipts 
for  all  funds  paid  out. 


ITINERANCY  <  1 

SEVENTH. 
The  Commissiou  on  Finance  shall   fix  an  equitable  appor- 
tionment   for   each   annual   conference    for   this   fund,   except 
to  conferences  that  do  not  co-operate  with  the  Bureau. 

EIGHTH. 

All  dividends  from  the  Publishing  House  which  may 
accrue  from  year  to  year,  shall  be  paid  to  the  General 
Treasurer  of  the  Church  for  the  use  and  in  behalf  of  the 
pensioners  of  these  funds,  provided  that  annual  conferences 
not  co-operating  with  the  Pension  Bureau  shall  receive  from 
the  Publishing  House  their  proportionate  share  of  such  funds. 

NINTH. 

Superannuated  Ministers  in  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  iu  Christ,  their  widows  and  children  may  receive 
pensions  from  this  fund  subject  to  the  following  conditions  : 
Ministers  must  be  ordained  and  have  been  at  least  five  years 
iu  the  regular  w^ork  of  the  Church  as  pastors  and  must  be 
iu  good  standing  in  the  Church  and  Conference  at  the  time 
disability  by  age  or  otherwise. 

TENTH. 

Widows  must  be  without  means  of  support  other  than 
their  daily  labor,  and  children  must  be  under  sixteen  years 
of  age  and  without  means  of  support,  as  in  the  case  of 
widows. 

ELEVENTH. 

Each  annual  conference  shall  provide  a  committee  who 
shall  receive  and  verify  all  claims  of  members  of  its  own 
body  and  forward  these  claims  to  the  president  of  the  Board 
of  Directors. 

TWELFTH. 

The  Executive  Board  shall  consist  of  the  President  of  the 
Board  of  Directors,  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  This  Board 
shall  determine  all  matters  of  fact  relative  to  the  granting 
of  pensions,  the  rate  per  month,  etc.,  not  otherwise  provided. 

THIRTEENTH. 

The  Board  of  Directors  shall  receive  all  applications  for 
pensions  and  record  them  in  the  order  received,  in  a  book 
kept  for  that  purpose,  and  shall  determine  the  rate  of  pen- 
sion per  month  in  the  case  of  each  applicant  not  otherwise 


72  DISCIPLINE 

.provided,  for,   and   shall    draw   an    order   on    the    Treasurer 
for  the  same, 

FOURTEENTH. 

All  pensions  granted  by  this  Society  shall  be  paid  quar- 
terly on  the  first  of  October,  January,  April  and  July  of 
each  year. 

FIFTEENTH. 

Each  pensioner  shall  furnish  a  well  authenticated  state- 
ment on  blanks  furnished  by  the  Board  of  Directors,  signed 
by   the   Board  of  his  conference  and  his  family   physician.  . 

SIXTEENTH. 

Ministers  for  the  next  quadrennium  shall  be  paid  in  the 
following  order :  All  having  served  the  Church  faithfully  for 
forty  (40)  years  and  more  shall  receive  a  pension  of  $16% 
per  month;  thirty  (30)  to  forty  (40)  years,  $12i^  per 
month;  twenty  (20)  to  thirty  (30)  years,  $10  per  month; 
ten  (10)  to  twenty  (20)  years,  $8%  per  month;  all  below 
to  be  determined  as  provided  in  Section  XVI.,  provided, 
however  all  conferences  not  co-operating  with  this 
Bureau  shall  not  be  eligible  to  its  benefits  nor  subject  to 
its  assessments.     . 

SEVENTEENTH. 

Funds  now  held  by  an  annual  conference  for  this  purpose 
can  be  transferred  to  this  general  fund,  or,  in  case  the 
annual  conference  does  not  wish  to  do  this,  or  can  not  legally 
do  so,  then  such  annual  conference  shall  use  the  income  of 
its  present  fund,  or  such  part  of  it  as  is  needed,  to  provide 
for  its  own  superannuated  ministers,  widows  and  orphans, 
on  the  basis  of  this  general  fund.  It  is  further  recom- 
mended, that  one  or  more  persons  be  selected  at  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  bishop  of  each  district  who  shall  have 
general  supervision  in  the  collection  of  funds  for  the  use 
of  this  most  helpful  arm  of  the  Church  and  that  his  com- 
pensation shall  not  exceed  twelve  and  a  half  per  cent,  of 
the  funds  gathered  by  him. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

'    ,  '  Deaconesses. 

Section  I. 

DEACONESSEvS IN     LOCAL    CHURCHES. 

1.  When  any  sister  of  suitable  age,  healtli,  ability,  cul- 
ture, and  piety,  wishes  to  become  a  deaconess,  she  shall 
receive  a  recommendation  to  the  quai'terly  conference  from 
the  class  where  she  holds  her  membership.  If,  after  ex- 
amination by  the  conference  superintendent,  or  a  committee 
appointed  by  him,  she  is  approved  by  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence, she  shall  receive  license  to  perform  the  duties  of  a 
deaconess  in  the  local  church,  said  license  subject  to  annual 
renewal. 

2.  Her  duties  shall  be  to  visit  from  house  to  house, 
reading,  praying,  singing,  teaching,  exhorting,  or  comforting 
the  people,  as  the  case  may  require  ;  to  nurse  or  otherwise 
minister  to  the  sick  and  needy  ;  to  solicit  funds  or  supplies 
and  distribute  the  same  ;  all  under  the  direction  of  the  pastor 
to  whom  she  shall  report  as  often  as  he  may  require ;  she 
shall  not,  however,  be  required  to  look  after  the  finances  of 
the  Church. 

3.  A  uniform  costume  shall  be  selected  by  the  committee 
appointed  by  the  bJshops,  to  distinguish  and  protect  her. 

4.  The  deaconess  work  is  a  high  and  holy  calling  for 
sacrificial  service.  Each  local  church  must  provide  for  any 
necessary  expense  attending  this  work,  and  such  salary  as 
may  be  mutually  agreed  upon,  always,  however,  encouraging 
those  who  enter  upon  this  service  to  do  so  for  the  love  of 
Christ  and  humaniity. 

5.  No  one  shall  be  required  to  make  a  perpetual  vow 
in  this  work,  but  any  one  may  retire  from  this  office  at 
pleasure,  after  giving  the  pastor  the  proper  notice. 

6.  The  deaconess  shall  be  a  member  of  the  quarterly 
conference  where  she  serves,  and  shall  be  responsible  to  it 
for  her  moral  and  official  character. 

7.  If  the  deaconess  is  deficient  iin  any  of  the  common 
school  studies,  she  roust  pass  examination   in   these,  along 

73 


74  DISCIPLINE 

with  the  prescribed  course  of  study.  The  conference  super- 
iuteudeut  and  pastor  shall  conduct  the  examination  iu  writ- 
ing annually,  or  a  part  of  the  course  quarterly,  as  the  can- 
didate may  desire.  The  faculty  of  Bonebrake  Seminary 
shall  prepare  suitable  questions  on  each  book  as  in  the  case 
of  annual  conference   preachers. 

8.  She  shall  complete  the  course  of  reading  within  three 
years  or  her  license  shall  not  be  renewed. 

On  the  completion  of  the  course  of  study,  and  two 
years'  practical  work  under  the  direction  of  a  pastor,  or  an 
equivalent  course  in  an  approved  training  school,  or  liter- 
ary school  providing  such  courses,  the  deaconess  shall  be 
consecrated  to  this  service  by  a  bishop  or  conference  super- 
intendent and  receive  a  permanent  license,  and  may  be  given 
membership  in  the  annual  conference.  (See  Formula  for 
Consecration  of  a  l^eaconess. ) 

Note. — ^The  deaconess  desirous  to  become  a  nurse  should 
take  the  course  of  training  for  that  purpose  iu  a  school  con- 
nected with  a  good  hospital. 

Section  II. 
Deaconess'  Homes, 

The  Board  of  Bishops  shall  constitute  a  board  of  man- 
agement of  deaconess'  homes,  and  when  a  majority  of  thfe 
pastors  of  our  Church  in  a  city  or  conference  wish  to 
establish  such  a  home,  they  must  first  submit  their  plans 
to  the  Board  of  Bishops  at  one  of  their  annual  meetings, 
and  if  the  matter  is  approved  by  the  board  it  shall  prepare 
rules  and  regulations  by  which  such  deaconess'  homes  shall 
be  founded  and  managed. 

Section  III. 

COURSES   OF   study. 

Books  to  he  Studied.     First  Year. 
Synthetic    Bible    Studies — Gray — Pentateuch    and    Histor- 
ical  Books. 

With  Christ  iu  the  School  of  Prayer — Murray. 

Life  of  Christ — Stalker. 

United  Brethren  Handbook — Shuey. 

United   Brethren   Disciplme. 


DEAOOIVESSES  75 

Books   to   he   Read — 

History  of  the  United  Brethren  Church — Berger,  Part   1. 

How  to  Bring  Men  to  Christ— Torrey. 

Seven  Laws  of  Teaching — Gregory, 

(Urmmit  to  Memory — 
Psalms  2,  23,  and  34. 

Second  Year. 
Synthetic   Bible   Studies,   New   Testament — Gray. 
I  )eaconesses — Wheeler. 

Training  the  Teacher — Schauffer  and  others. 
Quiet  Talks  on  Power — Gordon.  * 

Theological   Compend — Steel's  Binney. 
Life  of  St.  Paul— Stalker. 
Study  of  Child  Life— Mary   Washburn. 

Jiools  to  be  Read — 
The  Tongue  of  Fire — Arthur. 

United    Brethren    Church    History,    Parts    2,   3,    and    4— 
Berger. 

Bible  Geography — Hurlbut. 
Manual  of  Nursing — Weeks. 

Commit  to  Memory — 

The   Beatitudes ;    First    Corinthians,    Thirteenth    Chapter. 

GERMAN    COURSE   OF    STUDY. 

Buecher  fuer   Gemeinde-Diakonissen   Studien-Kursus. 
(Erstes  Jahr.) 
Die  deutsche  Bibel.      (a)  Altes  Testament,  L  Mose — 2-ten 
Chronika.      (b)    Neues  Testament.  Die  Evangelien. 
Litfe  of  Christ — Stalker. 

Geschichte  der  weiblichen  Diakonie — Golder. 
Manual  of  Bible  Study — Blakie. 
Deaconesses — Wheeler. 
In  der  Schule  des  Gebets — Murray. 

Buecher  Angeraten  zu  Lesen. 

Des   Christen    Geheimniss    eines    verborgeneu    Lebens — H. 
W.  Smith. 

Life  of  Christ — Edersheim. 

How  to  Bring  Men  to  Christ — Torrey. 


76  DISCIPLINE 

(Zweites  Jahr.) 

Die  deutsche  Bibel.  (a)  Altes  Testament,  Esra — Malaa- 
clii.  (b)  Neues  Testament,  Apostelgeschichte  bis  Oflfb.  Jo- 
hannes. 

Binney's  Compend. 

Heilige  Geschichte — Sulzberger. 

Calwer   Kirchengeshichte. 

Life  of  St.  Paul— Stalker. 

Social   Law  of  Service — Ely. 

Die  Krankenpflege — ^Duembling. 

Bueclier  Angeraten  zu  Lesen. 
Manual  of  Nursing — Weeks. 
Tongue  of  Fire — Arthur. 

Vereinigte  Brueder  Kirchengeschichte — Berger. 
Groesserer  Katechismus — Nast. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Courses  of  Study. 

Section  I. 

Quarterly  Conference  Prcachevfi. 

It  shall  be  the  rluty  of  each  person  receiving  a  quarterly 

conference  license  to  preach  to  pursue  the  following  course 

of  study : 

COURSE    OF    STUDY,     1913. QUARTERLY    COA'FERENCE    (BOURSE. 

First  Tear. 

BooJxS  to  he  Studied — 

Bible — Exodus   and   Matthew. 

Uni'ted  Brethren  Handbook — Shuey-Shupe. 

English  Grammar — Maxwell. 

Leading   Facts   of  American   History — Montgomery. 

Jesus.   Lord  and  Teacher — Kephart. 

United  Brethren  Discipline. 

Hiints   to   Lay    Preachers — Myer." 

Quiet  Talks  on  Prayer — Gordon. 

Modern   Sunday  School  in  Principle  and  Practice — Cope. 

Books  to  he  Read — 

Life   of   Otterbein — Drury. 

Our  Heroes,   Vol.   1. — Weekley  and   Font. 

The  Call  of  China  and  the  Islands — Hough. 

Individual   Work    for   Individuals — Trumbull. 

Mormonism.   the    Islam  of   America — Kinney. 

Laymen  in  Action^ — Quayle. 

Three  books  at  least  are  to  be  selected  and  read. 

Second  Year. 
Boolxs   to   he  Studied — 

Bible — I.  and  II.   Samuel  and  the  Gospel  of  St.  John., 
Composition,   Rhetoric — ^Brooks  and   Hubbard. 
Theological  Compend — Steele's   Binney^ 
Confession  of  Faiith — Weaver. 
Bible    History — Blaikie. 
General  History — Myers. 

77 


78  DISCIPLINE 

The  Frontier — Ward  Piatt. 

The  Why  and  How  of  Missions — Brown. 

Books  to  he  Read — 

Life  of  Bishop  Mills — Funk. 

Torches  Aloft — Bishop  Bell. 

Our  Heroes,  Vol.  II. — Weekley  and  Fout. 

Immigrant  Forces — Shriver. 

Recruiting  for  Christ — Stone. 

Tongue  of  Fire — Arthur. 

Three  books  at  least  to  be  selected  and  read. 

Examinations. 

2.  The  conference  superintendent,  or  a  committee  ap- 
pointed by  him,  shall  hold  examinations  each  year  in  the 
books  studied.  A  quarterly-conference  licentiate  is  per- 
mitted to  complete  the  entire  course  in  one  year ;  but  should 
he  fail  to  complete  the  course  within  four  years  his  license 
shall  not  be  subject  to  renewal.  He  is  required  to  complete 
the  quarterly-conference  course  of  study  before  being  ad- 
mitted to  the  annual  conference. 

Permanent  License. 

3.  Any  one  completing  the  above  course  of  study  and 
passing  satisfactory  examinations  tn  the  same,  may  receive 
a  license  certifying  to  that  fact,  and  not  requiring  annual 
renewal,  so  long  as  his  teaching  is  conformable  to  the  doc- 
trines of  Christ,  as  held  by  our  Church,  and  his  deportment 
is  in  harmony  with  the  requirements  of  our  Disciplilne. 

Section  II. 

ANNUAL-CONFERENCE   PREACHERS. 

Examinations. 

1.  A  licentiate  preacher  is  to  be  examined  in  the  sub- 
joined course  of  study  by  the  annual  conference  to  which 
he  belongs,  and  shall  have  the  privilege  of  being  examined 
after  the  completion  of  one  or  more  studies  during  the  in- 
terim of  annual  conference,  and  the  examinations  on  the 
studies  shall  be  completed,  if  possible,  before  the  sitting  of 
Ihe  conference.  The  examinations  shall  be  in  writing,  and 
graded  on  a  scale  of  100,  an  average  of  79  being  required. 

There  shall  be  a  standing  secretary  for  the  Committees 
on  Courses  of  Study  who  shall  keep  permanent  records  of 
each    licentiate,   of   his   examinations,    by    whom   conducted^ 


COURSES    OF    STUDY  79 

the  grades  given  in  each  book  or  study,  note  the  compleliou 
of  his  course,   when   ordained,   transferred   or  dismissed. 

A  book  shall  be  provided  by  the  annual  conference  for  this 
purpose  and  shall  be  preserved  as  the  property  of  the  con- 
ference. 

2.  To  assist  and  encourage  licentiates  in  their  studies 
and  also  for  the  purpose  of  securing  greater  uniformity  and 
efficiency  in  the  examinations,  the  following  pl«,n  shall  be 
pursued :  The  faculty  of  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary 
shall  prepare  a  list  of  from  fifty  to  two  hundred  questiions 
on  each  subject  of  study,  as  the  subject  may  require,  to  be 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  examiners  only.  The  faculty  shall 
likewise  prepare  a  list  of  helpful  suggestions  on  each  sub- 
ject for  the  student,  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  student, 
at  the  beginning  of  each  year  of  study.  The  examiners  on 
course  of  study  shall  select  without  the  knowledge  of  the 
licentiate  ten  or  more  of  these  questions  on  each  subject  for 
examination,  the  examination  always  being  conducted  in  the 
presence  of  one  or  more  of  the  examiners.  Each  licentiate 
shall  also  present  a  written  sermon  in  connection  with  the 
examimation  of  each  year.  The  sermon  for  the  first  year's 
examination  shall  be  upon  a  practical  theme ;  for  the 
second  year,  a  doctrinal ;  for  the  third  year,  a  historical, 
and  for  the  fourth  year,  a  social.  If  any  licentiate  is  unable 
to  appear  before  his  examiners  he  shall  report  the  cause  of 
his  absence. 

First  Year. 
Books  to  he  Studied — 
The  Teaching  of  Christ — Morgan. 
Future  Leadership  of  the  Church — Mott. 
Extemporaneous   Oratory — Buckley. 
United  Brethren  Church  History — Berger,  Part  T. 
Making  of  a  Sermon — Pattison. 
Principles  of  Education — Ruediger. 

Commit  to  Memory — 

The  Ten  Commandments,  Psalms  1  and  2,  and  the  Beat- 
itudes. 

Books  to  6e  Read — 

Encyclopedic  Handbook  of  the  Bible,  Old  Testament — 
Green-Angus. 

With  Christ  in  the  School  of  Prayer — Murray. 
Our  Bishops. 


80  DISCIPLINE 

Personal   Life  of  David  Livingstone — Blaikie. 
The  Worker  and  His  Bible — Biselen. 
Winning  the  Oregon  Country' — Faris. 
The  Glory  of  the  Ministry — Robertson. 
The   Graded   Sunday   School   in   Principle  and   Practice—^ 
Meyer. 

Three  books  at  least  are  to  be  selected  and  read. 

Second   Year. 

Books  to  be  Studied — 

The  Christian  View  of  the  Old  Testament — Eiselen. 

The  Preacher — Hoyt. 

United  Brethren  Church  History — Berger,  I'arts  2.  3 
and  4. 

Fundamentals  of   Child   Study — Kirkpatrick. 

Exegotical  Studies — Galatians  (Cambridge  Bible),  I.  and 
11.  Timothy  and  Titus  (Cambridge  Bible). — Use  either  the 
Cambridge  Bible  for  Schools  and  Colleges  or  Dummelow's 
Commentary. 

Commit  to  Memory — 

Isaiah,  fifty-third  chapter ;  First  Corinthians,  thirteenth 
chapter. 

BooJxS  to  he  Read — 

Encyclopedic  Handbook  of  the  Bible,  New  Testament — 
Green-Angus. 

Life  of  Weaver — Thompson. 
Autobiography  of  Finney. 
The  Church  m  the  Open  Country — Wilson. 
Twice   Born   Men — Begbie. 
The  Bible — Its  Origin  and  Nature — Dodds. 
The   Indwelling   Spirit — Davison. 
The  Foreign   Missionary — Brown. 
The  Point  of  Contact  in  Teaching — Dul)ois. 
Three  books  at  least  are  to  be  selected  and   read. 

» 
Third  Year. 

Books  to   Itc  Studied — 

System  of  Christian  Doctrine — Sheldon,  pp.  l-o-2. 

Psychology — Angell. 

The  Pastor  Preacher — Qnayle. 

Reasonable  Biblical  Criticism — Bcccher. 

Church  History — Fisher. 


COURSES    OF    STUDY  81 

Exegetical  Studies — Amos  (Cambridge  Bible),  and  Phi- 
lippians  (Cambridge  Bible). — Use  Cambridge  Bible  for 
Schools  and  Colleges  or  Dummelow's  Commentary. 

Commit  to  Memory — 
Acts  17  :  22-31 ;  Psalm  34. 

Books  to  he  Read — 

Jesus  Christ  and  the  Social  Question — Peabody. 

Problem  of  the  Old  Testament — ^^Orr. 

The  Spiriftual  Life — Murray. 

The  Preacher,  His  Life  and  Work — Jowett. 

The  Spiritual  Life — Coe. 

Building  a  Working  Cliurch — Black. 

Christianity    and   the    Social    Crisis — Rauschenbush. 

Rural  Christendom — Roads. 

Three  books  at  least  are  to  be  selected  and  read. 

Fourth  Year. 
Books  to  de  Studied — 

System   of   Christian   Doctrine — Sheldon,   pp.  325   to  end. 
The  Buildiing  of  the   Church — Jefferson. 
Eth  ics — McKenzie. 
Jesus  and  the  Gospels — Denney. 
Apologetics^ — Kephart. 
Christian  Nurture — Bushnell. 

Books  to  he  Read — 

Social  Message  of  the  Modern  Pulpit — Brown. 

Christianity  and  the   Social   CrisJs — ^Rauschenbush, 

Education  in  Religion  and  Morals — Coe. 

Pastoral  and  Personal  Evangelism — Goodell, 

Prophecy  and  the  Prophets — Eiseleu. 

The  Light  of  the  World — Speer. 

Things  Fundamental — 'Jefferson, 

Introduction   to  the   Study  of  Economics — Bullock. 

Tlie  Resurrection — Orr. 

Life  of  Mueller — Pierson, 

Philosophy  of  Theism — Bowne. 

Four  books  at  least  are  to  be  selected  and  read. 


82  DTSCIPLrINK 

Section  III. 

German  Course  of  Study. 

Quarterly-Conference  Preachers. 

FIRST    YEAR. 

Doctrines. — The  presence  of  God,  the  personality  of  God, 
the  Trinity,  the  creation,  the  fall  of  man. 

Books. — ^The  Bible,  Discipline  and  the  Uniited  Brethren 
Church,  "Christlich-Apostolisches  Glaubens-Bekenntniss,"  by 
W.   Nast,   "Cliristologische   Betrachtungen,"    by   W;   Nast. 

SECOND    YEAR. 

Doctrines.- — The  corruption  of  mankind,  repentance,  faith, 
justification,  regeneration,  witness  of  tlie  'Spirit,  sanctifica- 
tion,  possibility  of  falling  from  grace. 

Books. — The  Bible,  Church  Discipline,  Hare's  "Recht- 
fertigung  durch  den  Glauben,"  D'Aubigne's  "Reformations- 
Geschii'hte,"    "Bekampfung   des   Unglaubens,"   by    Ghristlieb. 

Annual-Co nference   Prea chers. 

FIRST    YEAR. 

Doctrines. — The  being  and  attributes  of  God,  the  Trinity, 
the  creation,  the  doctrine  of  the  angels,  the  doctrine  of 
mankind,  man  in  the  image  of  God,  the  fall  and  the  cor- 
ruption. 

Books. — The  Bible ;  Church  Discipline ;  Sulzberger's 
"Glaubenslehre'' — First  Part ;  Luthardt's  "Apologetische 
Vortrlige" — First  Part ;  Dr.  Joseph  Beck's  "Grundriss  der 
Empirischen  Psychologic" ;  Kurtz's  Text-Book  on  Sacred 
History ;  Bergers  History  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  ; 
Nippert's  "Praktische  Theologie ' ;  Grammatik,  Heise's 
"Leitfaden — Die  Wortlehre"  ;  written  sermon  on  the  Sab- 
bath. 

SECOND  YEAR. 

Doctrines. — The  doctrines  of  .Jesus  Christ,  doctrine  of 
the  personality  and  divinity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  doctrine  of 
the  salvation  of  man,  conviction,  repentance,  faith,  justifi- 
cation, regeneration,  sanctification,  possibiliity  of  falling 
from  grace. 

Books. — ^The  Bible ;  Church  Discipline ;  Sulzberger's 
"Glaubenslehre" — Second  Part ;  Luthardt's  "Apologetische 
Vortrage" — Second  Part ;  Weber's  "Einleitung  in  die  Heili- 
gen    Schriften";    "Das    Christliche    Heilsleben,"    by    F.    F. 


COURSES   OP    STUDY  83 

Paulus ;  Bishop  Hurst's  Church  History ;  Dittmar's  "Welt- 
Geschichte" — t'irst  Part ;  Gramtuatik,  Heise's  "Leiitfadeu 
— Die   Satzlehre"  ;   written  sermou  on  repentance  and   faith. 

THIRD  YEAR, 

Doctrines. — The  sacraments — baptism  and  -the  Lord's 
Supper,  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  the  resurrection  of  the 
body,  the  future  general  judgment,  everlastitng  rewards, 
and  everlasting  punishment. 

Books. — The  Bible ;  Church  Discipline ;  Sulzberger's 
"Olaubenslehre" — Third  Part;  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul, 
l>y  F.  L.  Nagler;  D'Aubigne's  "Reformations-Gesehichte" ; 
H.  Dittmar's  "Welt-Geschichte" — Second  Part ;  Heise's 
Grammatik — Wiederholung  ;  W.  Sommer's  "Aufsatzlehre"  ; 
written  sermon  on  baptism. 

BOOKS   RECOMMENDED. 

Jellinghaus's  ''Das  A'iillige  Heil,"  and  C.  H.  Spnrgeon'« 
''Winke  fiir  Prediger,"   oder  23  Vorlesungen. 

Section  IV. 

COMPLETING  THE   COURSE. 

1.  Each  licentiate  is  expected  to  complete  the  prescribed 
course  within  four  years,  unless  good  reasons  exist  for 
delay. 

2.  Should  any  Ucentiate  fail  to  complete  the  course 
within  six  years,  he  shall  be  referred  to  his  quarterly  con- 
ference and  his  annual  conference  license  surrendered. 

Seminary  Graduates. 

3.  Any  licentiate  who  has  completed  the  full  course  of 
study  in  Bonebrake  Tlieological  Seminary,  and  has  passed 
the  examinations  entiitling  him  to  a  diploma  from  that  insti- 
tution, shall  be  excused  from  examinations  in  the  annual- 
conference  course  of  study. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Appeals. 
Section  I. 

FROM   THE   DECISION    OF    A    CLASS. 

Should  any  member  be  dissatisfied  with  the  decision 
of  a  church  or  class,  or  committee  of  a  church  or  class,  an 
appeal  may  be  had  to  the  next  quarterly  conference  by 
giviing  notice  thereof  to  the  preacher  in  charge,  or  the 
secretary  of  the  trial,  within  thirty  days  after  said  trial, 
together  with  the  reasons  for  such  appeal ;  and  it  shall  hi 
the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  furnish  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence with  a  certified  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  trial 
and  of  the  notice  of  the  appeal. 

Section  II. 
FROM  the  decision  of  a  quarterly  conference. 
Any  member  of  a  quarterly  conference  dissatisfied  with 
the  decision  thereof,  may  appeal  to  the  ensuing  annual  con- 
ference, within  thirty  days  after  the  quarterly  conference, 
by  giving  notice  to  the  secretary,  in  writmg,  of  his  inten- 
tion to  appeal,  together  with  his  reasons  for  so  doing ;  and 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  furnish  a  certified 
copy  of  the  proceedings,  the  notification,  and  the  reasons 
assigned,  to  the  annual  conference. 

Section  III. 
court  of  appeals. 

1.  Any  member  of  an  annual  conference,  when  dissatis- 
fied with  the  decision  thereof,  shall  havp  a  right  to  appeal 
to  a  judicial  court, -^vhich  shall  be  constituted  and  governed 
as  hereinafter  stated. 

2.  Each  annual  conference,  at  the  first  session  suhse- 
(luent  to  the  session  of  the  General  Conference,  shall  elect 
by  ballot  two  members  of  the  court,  who  shall  hold  office 
for  four  consecutive  years. 

3.  In  case  of  an  appeal  from  an  annual  conference  in 
form  and  manner  hereinafter  set  foi'th,  the  presiding  bishop 
of  said  conference  shall,  at  such  time  and  place  as  he  may 
determine,  call  together  seven  of  the  members  of  the  court 

84 


APPEALS  85 

most  accessible  to  the  conference  from  which  the  appeal  is 
taken,  who,  thus  called  together,  shall  constitute  an  appellate 
court  to  hear  and  determine  said  appeal. 

4.  This  court  shall  organize  by  electing  a  chairman  and 
some  competent  person  as  secretarj^ 

5.  The  secretary  shall  receive  and  hold  all  papers  and 
records  pertaining  to  said  appeal,  subject  to  the  order  of 
the  chairman  ;  keep  a  true  record  of  all  proceedings  of  said 
court,  and  certify  the  decision  thereof  to  the  annual  con- 
ference from  whx'h  the  appeal  is  taken,  and  also  to  the 
appellant. 

6.  Five  of  these  members  shall  be  necessary  to  consti- 
tute a  quorum,  and  four  must  agree  on  a  verdict.  The 
court  may  affirm  or  reverse  the  finding  and  decision  of  the 
annual  conference,  or  affirm  in  part  and  reverse  in  part ; 
but  it  shall  not  reverse  the  same,  nor  remand  the  case  for 
a  new  trial  on  account  of  errors  plainly  not  affecting  the 
result. 

7.  The  decision  of  this  court  shall  in  all  cases  be  final, 
except  wiiea  the  objections  are  taken  on  the  ground  that 
the  proceedings  were  irregular  in  the  application  of  law, 
and  said  objections  are  entered  before  the  verdict  of  the 
court  is  announced.  In  case  of  appeal  from  the  court  under 
this  clause,  the  appellant  must  give  notice  within  thirty 
days  to  the  secretary  of  the  court,  who  shall  send  a  copy 
of  all  proceedings  in  said  case  to  the  General  Conference. 

8.  In  case  of  an  appeal  from  the  decision  of  an  annual 
conference,  the  appellant  must  give  written  notice  to  the 
secretary  of  said  conference  within  thirty  days  after  the 
adjournment  thereof,  setting  forth  both  his  intention  to 
appeal  and   the  reasons  for  so  doing. 

9.  On  receipt  of  a  notice  of  appeal,  the  secretary  of  the 
conference  shall  immediately  notify  the  presiding  bishop, 
and.  on  notice  from  said  bishop,  transmit  a  copy  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  conference  in  said  case  to  said  court  of 
appeal. 

10.  The  necessary  expenses  incurred  in  the  assenibling 
of  said  court  shall  be  paid  by  the  appellant,  if  the  appeal  is 
not  sustained  ;  if  the  appeal  is  sustained,  the  annual  con- 
ference in  which  the  appeal  is  made  shall  pay  the  expenses 
and  the  appellant  shall,  in  all  cases,  at  the  tiuie  the  notice 
of  appeal  is  given,  deposit  with  the  secretary  of  said  an- 
nual conference  security  for  the  payment  of  said  expenses, 
in  an  amount  fixed  by  said  secretary. 


PART  III. 

Social  Service  and  Moral   Reform 
CHAPTER  XI.      ^ 
Special  rules. 
Social  Service. 
Tnnsnuich  as  existing  social  and  industi-ial  conditions  call 
fo"  wise  and   firm   V'a'lerslii])  from   tlie  cliurclies.   the  Chnreii 
<if  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  stands: 

1.  For  enual  riohts  and  comidete  justice  for  all  men  in 
all  stations  of  life. 

2.  For  the  protection  of  the  family,  hy  the  single  stand- 
ai'd  of  purity,  uniform  divorce  laws,  proper  regulation  of 
marriage,  and  proper  housing. 

*i.  For  the  fullest  possible  development  for*  every  child, 
especially  by  the  provision  of  proper  education  and  recrea- 
ti(jn. 

4.  The  abolition  of  child  labor. 

5.  For  such  regulation  of  the  conditions  of  toil  for 
women  as  shall  safeguard  the  physical  and  moral  health  of 
the  community. 

<►.     For  the  abatement  and  prevention  of  poverty. 

7.  For  the  protection  of  the  individual  and  society  from 
the  social,  economic,  and  moral  waste  of  the  liquor  traffic. 

S.     For  the  conservation  of  health. 

i).  For  the  protection  of  the  worker  from  dangerous  ma- 
<  hinery,  occupational  diseases,  and  mortality. 

10.  For  the  right  of  all  men  to  the  opportunity  for 
self-maintenance,  for  safe-guarding  this  right  agaitost  en- 
croachments of  every  kind,  and  for  the  protection  of  workers 
from  the  hardships  of  enforced  employment. 

11.  For  suitable  provision  for  old  age  of  the  workers, 
and  for  those  incapacitated  by  injury. 

12.  For  the  right  of  employees  and  employers  aliike  to 
organize  for  adequate  means  of  conciliation  and  arbitration 
in  industrial   disputes. 

13.  For  a  release  from  employment  one  day  in  seven. 

14.  For  the  gradual  and  reasonable  reduction  of  the 
hours  of  labor  to  the  lowest  practicable  point,  and  for  that 
degree  of  leisure  for  all  which  iis  a  condition  of  the  highest 
human  life. 

86 


SOCIAL    SERVICE    AND    MORAL    REFORM  ST 

15.  For  a  living-  wage  as  a  miuituum  in  every  iuduslry. 
and  for  the  highest  wage  that  each  industry  can  afford, 

16.  For  a  new  emphasis  upon  the  application  of  Chris- 
tian principles  to  the  acquisition  and  use  of  property,  and 
for  the  most  equitable  division  of  the  product  of  imdustry 
that  can  be  ultimately  devised. 


Section   il. 

TEMPERANCE. 

7 n toxicating-  Drinkfi. 

1.  The  distilling,  vending  and  using  of  intoxicating 
drinks  as  a  beverage,  the  renting  and  leasing  of  property 
to  be  used  for  the  manufacture  or  sale  of  such  d'.-iuks,  also 
the  signing  of  petitions  for  granting  license,  or  the  enter- 
ing as  bondsmen  for  persons  engaged  in  the  traffic  in  in- 
toxicating drinks,  are  strictly  prohibited ;  and  should  any 
of  our  members  be  found  guilty  in  these  respects,  they  shall 
be  dealt  with  as  in  the  case  of  other  immoralities ;  this 
rule,  however,  shall  not  be  so  constructed  as  to  prevent  drug- 
gists and  others  from  the  vending  and  using  of  alcohol  for 
medicinal  or  mechanical  purposes. 

Temperance  Commission. 

2.  There  shall  be  a  permanent  temperance  commission, 
consisting  of  one  minister  and  one  layman  from  each 
bishop's  district,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Bishops. 
The  duties  of  this  commission  shall  be :  To  keep  in  close 
touch  with  similar  organizations  in  other  churches ;  to  ap- 
point or  to  authorize  the  appointment  of  delegates  to  local  or 
national  bodies  ;  to  collect  funds  for  the  expenses  of  corre- 
spondence and  suitable  literature. 

3.  The  last  Sunday  in  November  of  each  year  shall  be 
observed  as  Temperance  Day,  But  where  the  annual  field- 
day  is  observed  under  the  auspices  of  the  various  organized 
temperance  agencies  this  shall  substitute,  when  desirable 
for  the  Temperance  Day. 

(toiacco. 

4.  We  believe  that  the  use  of  tobacco  in  any  form  is 
injurious  to  body,  mind,  and  moral  nature,  and  a  needless 
waste  of  money  which  could  and  should  be  otherwise  applied  ; 
and  we  kindly  advise  all  our  members  to  abstain  from  its 
use. 


88  DISCIPLINE 

Section  III. 

SABBATH   OBSERVANCE. 

The  Sabbath  day  being  ordained  of  God  as  a  day  of 
physical  rest  and  of  spiritual  improvement,  and  as  the 
perpetuity  of  our  civil  and  religious  institutions  demands 
its  proper  observance,  therefore,  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  in  view  of  the  growing  tendency,  as  seen 
m  the  open  saloon,  the  beer-garden,  the  base-ball  games,  the 
social  dance,  excursion  trains,  unnecessary  labor,  the  increas- 
ingly prevalent  apathy  of  the  masses  to  an  attendance  upon 
the  public  service  of  the  church,  and  a  disregard  of  God's 
command  to  "remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy," 
earnestly  counsels  all  its  members  to  abstain  from  every- 
thing that  does  not  contribute  in  the  highest  degree  to  their 
spiritual  growth  ;  and  we  advise  our  ministers  and  general 
officers  of  the  Church  to  be  examples  to  the  flock  over  which 
the  Holy  Ghost  hath  made  them  overseers. 

Section  IV. 

SLAVERY. 

All  slavery,  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  is  totally  pro- 
hibited, and  shall  in  no  way  be  tolerated  i(n  our  Church.^ 

Section  V. 
secret  combinations. 

1.  A  secret  combination  is  a  secret  league  or  coafeder- 
atiun  of  persons  holding  principles  and  laws  at  variance 
with  the  Word  of  God  and  injurious  to  Christian  character, 
as  evidenced  in  individual  life,  and  infringing  upon  the  nat- 
ural, social,  political,  or  religious  rights  of  those  outside  its 
pale. 

2.  Any  member  or  minister  of  our  Church  found  in  con- 
nection with  such  combination  shall  be  dealt  with  as  in 
other  cases  of  disobedience  to  the  order  and  discipline  of 
the  Church  ;  in  case  of  members,  as  found  in  Chapter  IV.. 
Section  111,,  page  25,  and  in  case  of  ministers,  as  found  in 
Chapter  VI.,  Section  IX.,  page  59. 

Section  VI. 

OATHS. 
We  believe  that  the  mode  of  testifying  to  the  truth  when 
required  to  do  so  in  a  legal  form,  by  way  of  affirmation,  is 


iThis  law.  in  its  essential  chararter.  was  adopted  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  in  1821,  Bishops  Newcomer  and  Zeller  presiding. 


SOCIAL    SERVICE    AND    MORAL    REFORM  89 

on  US  solemnly,  conscientiously,  and  fully  binding,  before 
God,  to  tell  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the 
truth. 


Section  VII. 

WAR. 

We  most  positively  record  our  disapproval  of  engaging  in 
voluntary  national  aggressive  warfare ;  yet  we  recognize 
the  rightful  authority  of  the  civil  government,  and  hold  it 
responsible  for  the  preservation  and  defense  of  our  national 
compact,  against  treason  or  invasion  by  any  belligerent  force, 
and  we  believe  it  to  be  entirely  consistent  with  the  spirit 
of  Christianity  to  bear  arms  when  called  upon  to  do  so  by 
the  properly-constituted  authorities  of  our  Government  for 
its  preservation  and  defense. 

Section  VIII. 

THE    FAMILY. 

1.  We  believe  that  the  marriage  relation  is  of  divine 
authority ;  that  it  is  the  mutual  union  of  one  man  and 
one  woman  ;  that  the  obligation  is  most  sacred,  and  morally 
binding  so  long  as  both  shall  live,  and  therefore  cannot  be 
dissolved  at  will,  nor  should  it  be  by  a  decree  of  a  civil 
tribunal,  except  on  evidence  that  one  party  is  guilty  of 
adultery, 

2.  On  positive  evidence  of  such  guilt  the  innocent  party 
iis  free  from  further  matrimonial  obligations  and  justly  en- 
titled to  a  divorce  and  to  marry  again,  but  the  guilty  party 
has  no  such  right. 

3.  We  deny  the  right  of  marriage  to  both  parties  who 
have  been  divorced  for  other  causes  than  adultery. 

4.  Any  person  sustaining  a  marriage  relation  contrary 
to  that  above  recognized  as  justifiable  shall  be  ineligible  to 
the  office  of  the  ministry  of  this  Church. 

r>.  No  minister  of  this  Church  shall  knowingly  solemnize 
the  marriage  of  two  per.sons,  either  of  whom  has  been 
divorced  for  other  than  the  above  justifiable  cause,  and  shall 
bo  anienable  to  the  Church  for  disobedience  to  the  order 
thereof. 

6.  Every  pastor  shall  be  required  to  preach  at  least  once 
a  year  on  the  sanctity  of  the  home,  and  to  warn  his  people 
against  the  debasing  influences  that  imperil   our  home  life. 


PART  IV 

Property 

CHAPTER  XII. 

('hurch-Houses    and    Parsonages. 
Electing  Trustees. 

1.  Whenever  it  is  contemplated  to  purchase  or  build  a 
church-house  or  parsonage,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  any 
member  to  make  it  known  to  the  quarterly  conference  of 
the  circuit  or  station  to  which  he  belongs.  The  quarterly 
conference  shall  then  elect  a  board  of  trustees  of  not  less 
than  three  persons,  or  as  the  law  of  the  State  may  require  ; 
provided,  however,  that  at  least  a  majority  of  said  board 
shall  be  members  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ.  The  trustees  shall  hold  their  oflBce  during  the  pleas- 
ure of  the  quarterly  conference. 

Vacancies. 

2.  When  vacancies  occur  in  a  board  of  trustees  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  quarterly  conference  to  elect  suitable 
persons  to  fill  such  vacancies,  and  the  secretary  of  the  board 
of  trustees  shall  see  that  the  records  of  the  county  wherein 
such  board  may  reside  shall  correspond  with  the  facts  in  the 
case  according  as  the  law  of  the  State  may  require,  after 
such   vacancies   have  been    filled. 

Duties  of  Trustees. 

8.  The  trustees  shall  meet  annually,  and  shall  organize, 
if  a  new,  or  reorganize  if  an  old  board,  by  electing  from  their 
number  the  following  officers  ;  namely,  a  president,  secretary, 
and  treasurer.  Special  meetings  may  be  called  by  the  presi- 
dent or  by  a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  board. 

4.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  correct  record  of  all  busi- 
ness transactions  of  the  board  in  a  book  provided  for  that 
purpose,  which  shall  at  all  times  be  open  for  the  inspection 
of  the  official  board  and  the  quarterly  conference,  as  well 
as  of  the  board  of  trustees. 

90 


PROPERTY  91 

5,  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  board  for 
fchurc'h-house,  cemetery,  or  parsouage  purposes,  aud  pay 
out  the  same  under  the  direction  of  the  board,  on  regularly- 
drawn  orders  signed  by  the  president  and  secretary,  and 
report  the  financial  condition  at  their  several  meetings,  aud 
to  the  quarterly  conference  at  least  once  each  yeai". 

0.  No  board  of  trustees  shall  begin  the  building  of  a 
church-house  or  parsonage  without  first  submitting  their 
l)laus  and  estimates  of  lot,  or  lots,  aud  buildi'ng  to  the 
official  board  or  quarterly  conference  for  consideration,  ap- 
proval and  direction.  Nor  shall  they  proceed  to  buy  or 
build  without  first  procuring  an  incorporation  of  their  board 
such  as  the  State  requires,  and  approved  by  the  board  of 
Annual  Conference  trustees,  nor  without  securing  aud  re- 
cording a  legal  deed  to  themselves  and  their  successors  in 
office  in  trust  for  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  for  the  real  estate  which  they  purchase,  nor  until 
they  have  the  necessary  means  either  in  hand  or  sufficiently 
assured,  thus  securing  harmony  of  action,  and  avoiding  the 
encumbering  of  houses  of  worship  and  parsonages  with  em- 
barrassing  debts. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  trustees  to  !ak? 
charge  of  all  the  church  property,  employ  janitors,  fur- 
nish light  and  fuel,  keep  the  property  insured,  and  look 
carefully  after  other  wants  from  time  to  time. 

8.  For  the  raising  of  funds  for  extraordinary  expenses, 
such  as  building  churches,  or  making  extensive  repairs,  or 
paying  large  debts,  the  trustees  may  devise  such  measures 
as  may  be  deemed  best,  and  report  the  same  to  the  official 
board  or  quarterly  conference  for  approval  and  co-operation. 

Sale  and  Rent  of  Church-Houses  and  Parsonages. 

9.  The  quarterly  conference  may  authorize  the  board  of 
trustees  to  lease,  rent,  or  sell  church  or  parsonage  prop- 
erty within  its  jurisdiction ;  provided,  however,  that  said 
proceeds  shall  be  used  in  purchasing,  repairing,  or  building 
new  church  or  parsonage  property  within  its  bounds,  except 
the  interest  or  rents  accruing  from  parsonage  properly, 
which  may  be  applied  to  pay  rent  on  the  house  occu- 
pied by  the  pastor.  Provided  further,  that  no  church-house 
shall  be  sold  that  would  result  in  the  discontinuation  or 
disorganization  of  a  class,  without  the  consent  of  the  an- 
nual conference  within  the  bounds  of  which  said  property 
is  located. 


92  DISCIPLINE 

Conditions   of   Mortgages    and   Liens. 

10.  No  board  of  trustees  shall  have  power  to  mortgage 
or  to  place  a  lien  of  any  kind  on  real  estate  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  except  for  the  purchase  of  such  real 
estate,  or  the  erection  of  necessary  buildings,  or  for  repair- 
ing, or  otherwise  improving  the  same. 

11.  When  a  house  of  worship  outside  of  the  jurisdiction 
of  any  quarterly  conference  ceases  to  be  used  by  our  own 
people  for  preaching  or  other  religious  purposes,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  conference  superintendent  of  the  district  in 
which  such  house  is  located  to  report  to  the  annual  confer- 
ence, which  body  shall  authorize  the  board  of  conference 
trustees  to  rent,  lease  or  sell  such  house  of  worship  as  they 
may  deem  advisable  and  report  their  proceedings  to  the  an- 
nual conference,  and  which  body  shall  have  power  to  use 
the  proceeds  to  pay  debts  on  other  houses  of  worship,  build 
new  houses  of  worship  or  turn  the  money  into  the  funds  of 
the  Conference  Church  Extension  Society  or  Conference 
Church  Erection  Society  as  may  seem  proper,  at  its  own  dis- 
cretion ;  provided,  that  in  no  case  shall  a  church-house  and 
its  premises  be  sold  without  the  consent  of  the  annual  con- 
ference within  whose  bounds  it  is  located.  A  conference  in 
which  there  is  no  board  of  conference  trustees  shall  have 
power  to  elect  such  a  board. 

Abandoned  Parsonages. 
Should  any  parsonage  be  permanently  abandoned  as  such, 
the  superintendent  of  the  district  in  which  such  parsonage 
is  located  shall  report  the  same  to  the  annual  conference, 
which  body  shall  authorize  the  board  of  conference  trustees 
to  rent,  lease  or  sell  such  parsonage  and  report  their  pro- 
ceedings to  the  next  annual  conference,  which  body  shall 
have  power  to  use  the  money  to  pay  debts  on  other  parson- 
ages or  in  building  new  ones  within  its  borders,  or  to  turu 
the  money  into  the  Conference  Church  Extension  Society, 
or  Conference  Church  Erection  Society.  Where  there  is  no 
board  of  conference  trustees  the  conference  shall  have  power 
to  elect  such  a  board. 

Transfer  of  Churches. 
VS.     When  a  lot. is  deeded  to  an  English   United  Breth- 
ren Church,  or  to  a  German  United  Brethren  Church,  and 
one  or  the  other  ceases   to  exist  in  an  organized   form,   by 
deaths,    removals,    expulsions,    or    otherwise,    or    when    a 


PROPERTY  93 

majority  of  the  members  of  said  cliurch  shall  decide  to 
change  either  from  the  German  to  the  English,  or  vice 
versa,  then  the  church  remaining  shall  have  full  right  to 
make  such  rmprovements  or  repairs  on  said  lot  as  may 
be  desirable  for  the  purposes  of  worship,  and  shall  be  en- 
titled to  peaceful  possession. 

Division  of  Interest. 

14.  In  cases  where  fields  of  labor  having  parsonages  upon 
them  are  divided,  the  disposition  of  said  parsonages  shall 
be  submrtted  to  a  board  of  arbitration,  consisting  of  three 
members  of  the  Church,  one  to  be  chosen  by  each  quarterly 
conference  and  the  third  by  these  two,  to  whom  the  whole 
matter  shall  be  referred,  their  decision  of  the  case  being 
final.  In  cases  where  more  than  two  quarterly  conferences 
are  interested,  the  same  plan  shall  be  pursued.  la  case  this 
plan  fails  the  quarterly  conferences  shall  instruct  the  con- 
ference superintendent  to  appoint  a  committee  of  three  per- 
sons, all  members  of  our  Church  but  none  of  them  residents 
or  members  of  eLther  of  the  fields  affected,  and  their  decision 
shall  be  final;  provided,  however,  that  such  action  shall  Itc 
taken  within  two  years  of  such  division. 

Real  Estate. 

15.  Other  real  estate  held  for  church  or  parsonage  pur- 
poses shall  be  subject  to  the  same  regulations  as  houses  ot 
worship  and  parsonages. 

Conference  or  District  Property. 

10.  Wlicie  there  is  no  pi'ovi'.sion  by  the  laws  of  the 
State  for  the  in<'orp()ration  of  religions  organizations,  and 
I  here  is  property  that  belongs  to  a  district  or  conference, 
such  as  parsonages  for  the  use  of  bishops  or  conference 
siiperintendents,  said  conference  or  the  conferences  of  sard 
district  may  elect  a  board  of  trustees,  who  shall  be  members 
of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  residing 
within  the  district  or  conference,  who  shall  have  the  ri'ght  to 
receive  deeds  for  such  property  and  povi'er  to  lease,  rent,  or 
sell  the  same. 

17.  Any  <|iiarterly  confertMice  tliat  has  appointed  trus- 
tees for  a  bishoji's  parsonage  shall  fill  all  vacancies  under 
the  direction  of  the  co-operating  conferences. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Board  of  Church  Trustees. 

Section  1,  Be  it  ordained  hy  the  General  Conference  of 
the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  That  there 
shall  l)e  an  incorporated  Board  of  Trustees  for  the  Church 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  consisting  of  twelve  mem- 
bers, a  majority  of  whom  shall  be  citizens  of  Ohio,  elected 
by  the  General  Conference  of  said  Church  for  a  term  of  four 
years,  or  until  their  successors  are  elected.  Said  board  shall 
be  known  as  "The  Trustees  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,"   and  its  headquarters  shall  be  in  Dayton,   Ohio, 

Sec.  2.  The  organization  of  this  board  shall  be  effected 
at  its  first  regular  meeting  of  each  quadrennium  by  the 
election  of  a  president  and  secretary,  and  it  shall  thereafter 
reorganize  annually.  The  General  Church  Treasurer  shall 
l)e  the  treasurer  of  this  body.  It  shall  meet  on  the  call  of 
the  president  annually,  or  whenever  the  president  and  secre- 
tary may  determine.  The  board  may  elect  an  executive 
committee  Avith  authority  to  transact  any  necessary  business 
in  the  interim  of  the  board's  sessions,  subject  to  the  approval 
of  the  board. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  to  receive, 
hold  in  trust,  or  apply,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  any  and  all  funds,  dona- 
tions, grants,  and  bequests  that  may  be  given,  directed, 
or  conveyed  to  such  board  or  to  the  United  Brethren  Church 
as  such,  for  any  benevolent  purpose  whatever.  All  such 
funds  and  the  proceeds  thereof  shall  be  applied  in  harmony 
with  the  specified  purpose  of  the  donors,  or  in  the  absence 
of  such  specifications,  as  the  board  may  determine. 

Sec.  4,  The  board  shall  report  quadrennially  to  the 
General  Conference  of  said  Church  all  funds  and  property 
received  for  the  Cliurch  and  the  disposition  made  of  the 
same,  and  shall  be  answerable  to,  and  under  the  direction 
of  said  General  Conference. 


94 


PART  V 

Department  of  Sunday   School,   Brotherhood  and 

Young  People's  Work. 

Section  I. 

constitution. 

In  order  to  secure  a  general  and  sj^stematic  study  of  the 
Bible,  the  development  of  the  various  forms  of  men's  work 
in  our  Church,  and  the  training  of  our  young  people  for  the 
liest  service,  we  ordain  the  following  constitution  for  the 
departments  to  be  known  as  the  Department  of  Sunday- 
School  and  Brotherhood  Work,  and  the  Department  of 
Young  People's  Work,  which  departments  shall  be  the  legal 
successors  to  what  was  heretofore  known  as  the  General 
Sunday  School  Board,  the  Men's  Movement,  and  Young 
People's  Christian  Endeavor  Union. 

Article  I. 

BOARD    OF    CONTROL. 

The  Departments  of  Sunday  School  and  Brotherhood,  and 
of  Y'oung  People's  Work,  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  a 
(Jeaeial  Board  of  Control. 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

The  object  of  this  board  shall  be  to  promote  the  organ- 
ization, growth,  and  efficiency  of  Sunday  schools,  brother- 
hoods, and  young  people's  societies,  and  hold  such  conven- 
tions as  may  be  deemed  wise  and  necessary. 

Article  III. 

MEMBERS    OF   THE   BOARD. 

The  board  shall  be  composed  of  nine  members,  at  least 
five  of  whom  shall  be  laymen,  who  shall  be  elected  by  the 
Ceneral  Conference  for  four  years,  together  with  the  editors 
of  the  Sunday-school  literature,  the  editor  of  the  Watchword, 
and  the  General  Publishing  Agent.  The  bishops  shall  be 
ex  officio  members  of  this  board.  A  majority  of  the  board 
shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

95 


96  DISCIPLINE 

Article  IV. 

OFFICERS   AND  MEETINGS. 

1.  This  board  shall  be  convened  by  the  senior  bishop 
within  thirty  days  after  election,  and  shall  be  organized  by 
electing  a  president  and  recording  secretary. 

2.  The  General  Treasurer  of  the  Church  shall  be  the 
treasurer  of  this  board. 

3.  The  board  shall  meet  annually  i"n  the  month  of  April 
oi«  May  on  such  day  or  days  as  it  may  from  time  to  time 
determine ;  other  meetings  may  be  held  upon  the  call  of 
the  president  of  the  board. 

Article  V. 

EXECUTIVE    COMMITTEE. 

The  board  shall  elect  five  as  an  executive  committee  for 
the  Department  of  Sunday  School  and  Brotherhood  Work, 
and  five  as  an  executive  committee  for  the  Department  of 
Young  People's  Work,  which  committees  shall  act  in  the 
interims  of  the  board  meetings. 

Article  VL 

VACANCIES. 

The  board  shall  be  empowered  to  fill  vacancies  occurring 
during  the  quadrennium. 

Article  VII. 

FUNDS. 

1.  The  sources,  of  the  funds  shall  be  an  apportionment 
from  the  Commission  of  Finance,  one-fifth  of  which  shall  be 
used  for  the  Young  People's  Work.  The  offerings  from  the 
observance  of  Children's  Day,  Brotherhood  Day  and  Young 
IVople's  Anniversary  Day  shall  go  to  the  benevolent  budget 
of  the  Church. 

2.  The  funds  of  the  Department  of  Sunday  School  and 
Brotherhood  Work  shall  be  used  to  assist  in  maintaining 
Sunday  schools  in  home  and  foreign  fields,  in  organizing 
and  promoting  the  best  interests  of  Bible  classes,  brother- 
hoods, leagues,  etc.,  and  for  defraying  the  legitimate  ex- 
l»enses  of  the  department ;  provided  that  the  principal, 
of  all  permanent  funds  shall  be  carefully  invested  and  only 
the  income   therefrom  be  expended. 

3.  The  funds  of  the  Department  of  Youug  People's  Work 
shall  be  used  in  in-omoting  religious  work  among  our  young 


I 


GENERAL   BOARD  97 

people,  in  providing  for  their  training  in  Cliristian  service 
throughout  the  entire  denomination,  and  in  helping  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  the  department. 

4.  All  applications  for  literature  for  Sunday-  schools  shall 
he  made  through  the  general  secretary,  the  granting  of 
which  request  shall  be  subject  to  regulations  prescribed  by 
the  board  or  executive  committee.  Appropriations  shall  be 
made  only  to  Sunday  schools  conducted  in  harmony  with  the 
disciplinary  provisions  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  or 
to  schools  giving  satisfactory  evidence  that  they  will  soon 
become   such. 

Article  VIIL 

DUTIES    OF   OFFICERS. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  the  meetings  of  the. 
board.  lie  shall  also  call  special  meetings  of  the  board  when 
in  his  judgment  and  that  of  the  executive  committee,  it  is 
necessary. 

2.  The  recording  secretary  shall  keep  an  accurate  record 
of  the  business  transactions  of  the  board  in  a  book  provided 
for  that  purpose,  and  under  direction  of  the  president  shall 
issue  the  call  for  the  regular  and  special  sessions  of  the 
board. 

3.  The  General  Cliurch  Treasurer  shall  hold  in  trust  the 
funds  of  the  board  and  disburse  the  same  on  orders  proper- 
ly signed  by  the  chairman  and  secretary  of  the  executive 
committee  of  each  department  respectively. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  General  Secretary  of  the- 
Department  of  Sunday  School  and  Brotherhood  Work,  when 
at  all  practicable,  to  visit  the  Conferences  in  the  interest  of 
the  work  of  his  department ;  he  shall  endeavor  to  stimulate 
interest  in  Sunday  schools  and  brotherhoods  by  presenting 
the  most  approved  methods  of  work  ;  he  shall  urge  the  or- 
ganization and  maintenance  of  all  recognized  departments ; 
he  shall  promote  teacher-training  and  shall  urge  the  ob- 
servance of  Children's  Day  ;  he  shall  aid  in  developing  Chris- 
tian benevolence  and  interest  in  missions  in  Sunday  schools 
and  brotherhoods :  he  shall  keep  a  record  of  all  bequests, 
legacies,  notes,  and  other  valuable  papers  coming  into  his 
possession  and  turn  them  over  to  the  General  Chur<-h  Treas- 
urer for  safe  deposit ;  he  shall  prepare  and  publish  a  quad- 
rennial report  for  the  General  Conference  and  perform  such 
other  duties  as  the  board  may  direct. 


98  DISCIPLINE 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  General  Secretary  of  the 
Department  of  Young  People's  Work  to  plan  for  and  pro- 
mote the  most  approved  methods  of  work  among  our  young 
people ;  to  visit  conferences  and  hold  institutes  in  connection 
with  branch  conventions ;  to  consult  with  branch  officers  as 
to  the  best  ways  of  increasing  the  efficiency  of  the  local 
societies,  to  stimulate  religious  training  among  our  young 
people,  and  to  prepare  reports  and  perform  such  duties  as 
the  board  may  direct. 

Article  IX. 

ANNUAL    CONFERENCE    RELATIONS    AND    DUTIES. 

1.  Each  annual  conference  shall  elect  annually  a  confer- 
ence board,  consisting  of  five  members.  This  board  shall 
meet  immediately  on  the  adjournment  of  the  annual  confer- 
ence and  organize  by  electing  a  president,  secretary,*  and 
treasurer.     The  duties  of  this  board  shall  be : 

a.  To  stimulate  the  development  of  the  Sunday  school 
and  brotherhood  work  within  the  bounds  of  the  conference. 

6.  The  secretary  shall  collect  and  preserve  the  statistics 
of  Sunday  schools  and  brotherhoods  of  the  conference  and 
transmit  a  copy  thereof  to  the  General  Secretary  of  the 
Department  of  Sunday   School  and  Brotherhood  Work. 

c.  It  shall  represent  the  interests  of  this  department  be- 
fore the  annual  conference  and  hold  an  anniversary  service 
at  each  annual  conference  session. 

Article  X. 

pastor's   RELATIONS. 

The  pastor  shall  have  general  supervision  over  the  Sun- 
day schools,  brotherhoods,  and  young  people's  societies  of 
his  charge,  and  shall  be  present  at  their  sessions  as  often 
as  practicable.  He  shall  be  present  and  preside  at  the  re- 
organization of  his  Sunday  schools.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to 
organize  a  Sunday  school  at  each  appointment  on  his  charge 
where  there  is  not  one  already.  He  shall  encourage  the  or- 
ganizatron  of  young  people's  societies  and  brotherhoods  on 
his  charge  where  at  all  practicable.  He  shall  furnish  such 
statistics  of  schools,  brotherhoods,  and  young  people's  soci- 
eties as  are  required  by  the  annual  conference  chart,  and 
such  other  statistical  information  as  may  be  requested  by 
the  authorized  heads  of  the  departments.  It  shall  also  be 
his  duty  to  see  that  Children's  Day  and  Young  People's  An- 
niversary  Day   are   observed   and  that  liberal  offerings  are 


SUNDAY-SCHOOL    WORK  99 

taken  upon  these  days  and  sent  to  the  General  Church 
Treasurer,  These  offerings  shall  be  in  addition  to  the  con- 
ference apportionment  for  the  General  Board. 

Article  XI. 

RELIGIOUS    EDUCATION   COUNCIL, 

There  shall  be  a  Religious  Education  Council  composed 
of  the  secretary,  or  other  authorized  representative  of  the 
Sunday  School  and  Brotherhood  Department,  the  Young 
People's  Department,  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  the 
Foreign  Missionary  Society,  the  Woman's  Missionary  As- 
sociation, Bonebrake  Seminary,  Christian  Stewardship  Com- 
mission, and  such  other  departments  as  engage  in  distinc- 
tively religious  education  in  the  church,  together  with  a 
pastor  and  a  layman,  to  be  chosen  by  the  other  members  of 
the  council.  The  duty  of  this  council  shall  be  to  promote 
religious  education  and  to  consider  and  correlate  all  plans 
for  such  education  proposed  by  these  several  departments. 

Section  II. 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL   WORK. 

Organization    of   New    Sunday    Schools. 

In  organizing  a  new  school  the  pastor  shall  pursue  such 
plan  as  he  may  think  advisable  to  secure  a  superintendent, 
secretary,  and  treasurer.  It  is  desirable  that,  if  possible, 
such  officers  should  be  active  Christians  and  members  of  our 
Church.  They  shall  hold  office  for  one  year,  and  shall  per- 
form the  duties  which  usually  pertain  to  such  offices. 

CONSTITUTION    FOR    A    SUNDAY     SCHOOL, 

It  is  recommended  that  all  the  Sunday  schools  adopt  the 
following  constitution  ;  provided,  that  any  school  may  have 
the  privilege  of  enacting  such  by-laws  for  its  better  regula- 
tion as  will  not   conflict  with   the  constitution. 

Article  I. 
This  school  shall  be  known  as  the  United  Brethren  Sun- 
day School  of  . 

Article  II. 
The  object  of  the  school  shall  be  to  gather  in  all  people 
for  the  study  of  the  Bible  and  for  the  study  of  the  various 
activities   of   the   church,   to   secure   the   salvation    of   souls, 


100  DISCIPLINE 

to  train  for  Christian  service  and  to  promote  the  worship  of 
God. 

Article  III. 

1.  The  officers  shall  be  the  pastor,  a  superintendent,  a 
secretary,  a  treasurer,  a  librarian,  and,  when  desired  by  the 
school,  a  chorister  and  organist.  The  duties  of  these  officers 
shall  be  such  as  usually  pertain  to  such  offices  ;  and  when- 
ever it  is  deemed  necessary  for  the  interests  of  the  school. 
an  assistant  may  be  elected  in  each  of  these  offices ;  all  of 
whom  shall  be  subject  in  their  official  duties  to  their  superior 
officers,  except  in  the  absence  of  such  superiors. 

2.  There  shall  be  an  executive  committee  of  three  or  five, 
chosen  by  the  school,  a  majority  of  whom  shall  be  members 

of  the  United  Brethren  Church  at  .     The  pastor  and 

superintendent  shall  also  be  members  ex  officio.  It  shall 
be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  select  and  order  a  suit- 
able amount  of  our  own  literature  and  helps  for  the  school 
from  time  to  time,  and  look  after  the  general  interests  of 
the  school. 

3.  Tlie  executive  committee,  in  conjunction  with  the 
teachers  of  school,  may  at  least  one  week  prior  to  the  time 
of  the  annual  election,  nominate  suitable  persons  as  candi- 
dates for  each  of  the  various  offices  of  the  school ;  provided 
that,  on  stations,  if  desirable  to  the  pastor,'  the  election  of 
the  superintendent  may  be  by  the  official  board. 

4.  All  elections  in  schools  shall  be  by  ballot,  only  en- 
rolled members  over  twelve  years  of  age  voting. 

5.  The  superintendent,  when  at  all  possible,  shall  be  a 
member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  in  good  and  regular 
standing.  He,  with  the  approval  of  the  pastor,  shall  ap- 
point the  teachers ;  provided,  however,  that  regularly  organ- 
ized adult  classes  may  select  their  teachers  subject  to  the 
approval   of  the   superintendent   and  pastor. 

6.  The  pastor  of  the  church  shall  preside  at  each  annual 
election,  whenever  practicable,  and  the  superintendent  or 
pastor  shall  preside  at  all  special  elections. 

Article  IV. 

Vacancies  for  unexpii'ed  terms  shall  be  filled  in  the  same 
manner  and  form  as  above  provided  for  annual  reorganiza- 
tion. 


BROTHERHOOD   WORK  101 

Article  V. 

MISSIONS    IN    THE    SUNDAY    SCHOOL. 

Each  of  our  Sunday  schools,  in  its  auxiliary  relationship 
to  the  Home  Missionary  Society  and  the  Foreign  Missionary 
Society  of  our  Church,  is  expected  to  observe  a  monthly  mis- 
sionary day,  on  which  a  brief  missiionary  exercise  shall  be 
rendered  and  a  missionary  offering  taken.  In  places  where 
a  monthly  missionary  day  seems  impracticable,  each  school 
shall  be  required  to  observe  such  a  missionary  day  once  a 
quarter.  The  first  and  third  quarters  of  the  calendar  year 
shall  be  devoted  to  the  study  of  foreign  missions ;  the  second 
and  fourth  quarters  to  the  study  of  home  missions  ;  the  offer- 
ings during  these  periods  to  go  to  the  benevolence  budget. 

Section  III. 

BROTHERHOOD   WORK. 

General  Statement. 

A  promising  movement  in  modern  Christianity  is  the  bind- 
ing together  of  men  iti  church  brotherhoods  for  personal, 
religious  improvement  and  training  for  efficient  service  in 
the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

A  brotherhood  may  be  comprised  of  a  men's  Bible  class,  a 
federation  of  two  or  more  men's  Bible  classes,  or  may  be  a 
separate  organization  including  all  the  men  in  the  church 
and  community,  providing  it  subscribes  to  the  brotherhood 
objectives.  Tlie  number  of  committees  may  be  diminished 
or  increased  at  the  discretion  of  the  brotherhood. 

CONSTITUTION     SUGGESTED     FOR     A     BROTHERHOOD. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

The    name    of    this    organization    shall    be    the    Otterbeia 

Brotherhood  of  the Church,  United  Brethren 

in  Christ. 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

The  purpose  of  this  organization  is  to  promote  the  Broth- 
erhood spirit ;  the  salvation,  spiritual  growth  and  activity 
of  our  men  ;  to  create  interest  in  Bible  Study  and  Christian 
fellowship  among  men ;  to  increase  the  efficiency  of  the 
local  church  ;  to  encourage  denominational  loyalty  ;  to  enlist 


102  DISCIPLINE 

all  the  men  of  the  community  in  all  the  movements  for 
social,  civic  and  industrial  betterment.  One  of  the  definite 
objects  of  the  Brotherhood  shall  be  to  devise  plans  whereby 
the  boys  of  the  community  may  be  won  to  Christ  and  the 
Church. 

Article  III. 

MEMBERSHIP.  i 

1.  Any  man  over  sixteen  years  of  age  shall  be  eligible 
to  membership,  if  approved  by  the  executive  committee  and 
elected  by  a  majority  of  the  members  present  at  any  regular 
meeting  of  the  brotherhood. 

2.  Each  member  shall  be  required  to  pay  a  monthly  due 
of  cents. 

Article  IV. 

MEETINGS. 

1.  Devotional. — The  brotherhood  may  hold  weekly  or 
monthly  devotional  meetings  for  the  study  of  the  Word, 
prayer,  and  testimony.  All  members  of  the  brotherhood 
should  be  encouraged  to  take  a  part. 

2.  Business. — Business  meetings  shall  be  held  monthly  or 
quarterly  or  ofteaer  at  the  call  of  the  executive-  committee. 

3.     members  present  at  any  regular  or  special 

meeting  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of 
business. 

4.  At  the  regular  business  meetings  the  officers  and  chair- 
men of  committees  shall  submit  written  reports  of  work  done. 

Article  V. 

OFFICERS. 

1.  The  elective  officers  shall  consist  of  a  president,  vice- 
president,  secretary,  and  treasurer.  They  shall  be  elected 
for  one  year  by  a  majority  of  the  members  present  at  the 
annual  meeting  and  shall  hold  office  until  their  successors 
are  chosen. 

2.  The  president  and  treasurer  shall  be  members  of  the 
local  church   where   this  brotherhood  is  organized. 

3.  The  pastor  shall  be  a  member  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee. 

Article  VI. 

DUTIES    OF   OFFICERS. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  business  meetings 
and  shall  be  a  member  ex  officio  of  all  regular  committees. 


BROTHERHOOD    WORK  103 

2.  The  vice-president  shall  assist  the  president  and  shall 
perform  all  the  duties  of  the  president  in  case  of  the  latter's 
absence  or  disabilitj%  and  may  be  the  director  of  the  boy's 
work  of  the  brotherhood. 

3.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  roll  of  the  membership  and 
a  record  of  all  the  proceedings  of  each  business  meeting. 
He  shall  report  the  formation  of  the  brotherhood  to  the  con- 
ference organization  and  to  the  office  of  the  Board  of  Con- 
trol of  Sunday  School,  Brotherhood,  and  Young  People's 
Work,  and  from  time  to  time  report  for  publication  items 
concerning  the  progress  of  the  brotherhood. 

4.  The  treasurer  shall  collect  all  dues,  keep  moneys,  and 
pay  all  bills  upon  the  authorization  of  the  president  and 
secretary. 

He  shall  make  a  report  of  all  receipts  and  disbursements 
at  the  regular  business  meetings  of  the  brotherhood  and 
shall  be  a  member  of,  and  report  to,  the  official  board  and 
the  quarterly  conference. 

Article  VII. 

STANDING   COMMITTEES   AND  THEIR  DUTIES. 

1.  There  may  be  authorized  seven  standing  committees — 
Executive,  membership,  devotional  and  religious  work,  social 
and  fellowship,  Bible  and  mission  study,  Sunday  school  and 
moral  reform  work,  and  work  for  boys. 

2.  The  executive  committee  shall  consist  of  the  pastor, 
officers  of  the  brotherhood  and  the  chairmen  of  the  standing 
committees.  This  committee  shall  outline  plans  and  aims 
for  the  brotherhood  and  stimulate  the  different  committees 
in  their  specific  duties. 

3.  The  membership  committee  shall  seek  to  win  new 
members,  prayerfully  follow  up  all  delinquents,  visit  the 
sick,  and  provide  as  far  as  possible  for  the  relief  of  all 
members   in    distress. 

4.  The  devotional  and  religious  work  committee  shall 
provide  leaders  and  topics  for  such  devotional  meetings  as 
shall  be  agreed  upon,  aid  in  building  up  the  church  prayer- 
meeting  and  other  church  services,  and  plan  such  other 
meetings  as  will  promote  the  religious  life  of  boys  and  men. 

5.  Social  and  fellowship.  This  committee  shall  provide 
social  functions,  welcome  strangers  and  new-comers  to  the 
church  services,  Sunday-school  and  brotherhood  meetings, 
and  in  every  way  encourage  friendliness  among  men  and 
boys. 


104  DISCIPLINE 

6.  Bible,  mission  study,  and  Sunday  school.  Tliis  com- 
mittee shall  seek  to  interest  men  in  the  study  of  the  Bible, 
missionary  books  as  authorized  by  our  mission  boards,  and 
co-operate  in  the  organization  of  men's  and  boy's  classes  in 
the   Sunday   school. 

7.  Moral  reform.  This  committee  shall  bring  to  the  no- 
tice of  the  brotherhood  all  urgent  problems  of  moral  reform 
and  aid  in  advancing  the  cause  of  civic  righteousness  through 
the  brotherhood. 

8.  Work  for  boys.  This  committee  shall  labor  earnestly 
to  carry  on  Christian  work  among  boys. 

Article  VIII. 
The  brotherhood  shall  take  an  offering  each  year  in   the 
month  of  Jauaary  for  the  benevolence  budget. 

Article  IX. 

AMENDMENTS. 

This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  regular  business 
meeting  of  the  brotherhood  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  mem- 
bers present,  provided  the  amendment  was  submitted  to  the 
brotherhood  at  a  previous  meeting. 

Any  by-laws  may  be  adopted  for  increasing  the  efficiency 
of  the  brotherhood,  provided  such  are  in  harmony  with  this 
constitution    and   the    Discipline   of   the    Church. 

Section  IV. 

YOUNG    people's    WORK. 

Article  I. 

Model  Constitution  for  a  Young  People's   Society  of 

Christian  Endeavor. 

name.* 

This  society  shall  be  called  the  Young  People's  Society  of 

Christian    Endeavor   of   t United  Brethren   Church 

of  t . 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

It  shall  be  the  object  of  this  society  to  promote  an  earnest 
Christian  life  among  its  members,  to  increase  their  mutual 


*Socioties  desiring  to  use  the  name  Young  People's  Christian 
Endeavor  Union  may  do  so. 

tinsert  name  of  church  and  place. 


YOUNG    people's    WORK  105 

acquaintance,  to  make  them  more  useful  in  the  service  of 
God.  to  promote  loyalty  to  the  Church  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ,  to  study  its  life  and  interests,  and  to  seek  in 
every  proper  way  to  assist  in  the  growth  of  both  the  local 
church  and  the  denomination  at  Targe,  as  our  particular 
part  of  God's  Zion. 

Article  HI. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

1.  Tlie  members  shall  consist  of  three  classes.  Active 
Associate,  and  Honorary. 

2.  Active  Mcmhcrs. — The  active  members  of  this  society 
shall  consist  of  the  pastor  and  all  Christian  young  people 
who  sincerely  desire  to  accomplish  the  object  above  specified. 
Voting  powers  shall  be  vested  only  in  the  active  members. 

3.  Associate  Members. — All  young  persons  of  worthy 
character  who  have  not  as  yet  publicly  professed  their  faith 
in  Christ,  may  become  associate  members  of  this  society. 
They  shall  have  the  special  prayers  and  sympathy  of  the 
active  members.  It  is  expected  that  all  associate  members 
will  regularly  attend  the  prayer-meetings  and  that  they  will 
in  time  become  active  members. 

4.  Honorary  or  Affiliated  Members. — Persons  who  for 
any  reason  cannot  assume  the  duties  of  active  membership, 
but  who  are  interested  in  the  society,  and  desire  to  promote 
its  welfare,  may  become  honorary  members.  Honorary 
members  are  expected  to  support  the  society  financially  and 
otherwise. 

5.  These  different  persons  shall  become  members  upon 
election  by   the   society. 

Article  IV. 

OFFICERS    AND   COMMITTEES. 

1.  The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  president,  a 
vice-president,  a  recording  secretary,  a  corresponding  secre- 
tary, a  treasurer,  and  a  AVatchword  agent,  all  of  whom  shall 
be  chosen  from  the  active  members  of  the  society.  The  pres- 
ident should  be   a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Cliurch. 

2.  Executive  Committee. — This  committee  shall  consist  of 
the  pastor  of  the  church,  the  officers  of  the  society,  the  chair- 
men of  the  various  committees,  and  the  Junior  superin- 
tendent. All  matters  of  business  requiring  debate  may  be 
brought  first  before  this  comn^ttee. 


106  DISCIPLINE 

3.  Other  Committees. — There  shall  be  appointed  from  the 
active  membership  such  committees  as  shall  be  necessary  to 
carry  on  the  work  of  the  society,  these  committees  to  be 
selected  from  the  list  suggested  in  the  by-laws. 

Article  V. 

DUTIES    OF   OFFICERS. 

1.  President. — ^The  president  of  the  society  shajl  perform 
the  duties  usually  pertaining  to  that  office.  He  shall  have 
general  oversight  of  the  interests  of  the  society,  and  it  shall 
be  his  care  to  see  that  the  different  committees  perform  the 
duties  devolving  upon  them.  He  shall  make  a  report  of  the 
work  of  the  society  at  each  session  of  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence or  official  board. 

2.  Vice-President. — The  vice-president  shall  assist  the 
president  in  promoting  the  interest  of  the  society  and  shall 
perform  the  duties  of  the  president  in  his  absence, 

3.  Recording  Secretary. — The  recording  secretary  shall 
keep  a  record  of  the  members,  and  correct  it  from  time  to 
time,  as  may  be  necessary ;  shall  obtain  the  signature  of  each 
newly-elected  member  to  the  pledge ;  shall  correspond  with 
absent  members,  and  inform  them  of  their  standing  in  the 
society  ;  shall  keep  correct  minutes  of  all  business  meetings 
of  the  society ;  and  shall  notify  all  persons  elected  to  office 
or  to  committees,  in  writing,  if  necessary. 

4.  Corresponding  Secretary. — ^The  corresponding  secre- 
tary shall  keep  the  local  society  in  communication  with  the 
Board  of  Control  of  the  Sunday  School,  Brotherhood,  and 
Young  People's  Work,  and  with  other  local  societies ;  and 
shall  present  to  his  own  society  such  matters  of  interest  as 
may  come  from  the  Board  of  Control,  from  other  local  so^ 
cieties,  and  from  other  Christian  sources.  He  shall  also  re- 
port to  the  General  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Control  the 
number  of  persons  who  have  adopted  the  Christian  Steward- 
ship plan.  This  office  shall  be  permanent,  and  the  name 
shall  be  forwarded  to  the  corresponding  secretary  of  the  con- 
ference Union  and  to  the  General  Secretary  of  the  Board  of 
Control,  at  Dayton,   Ohio. 

5.  Treasurer. — The  Treasurer  shall  safely  keep  all  moneys 
belonging  to  the  society  and  pay  out  only  such  sums  as  shall 
be  voted  by  the  society. 


YOUNG    people's    WORK  107 

Article  VI. 

THE  PRAYER-MEETING. 

1.  All  the  active  members  shall  be  present  at  every  meet- 
ing, unless  detained  by  some  absolute  necessity,  and  each 
active  member  shall  take  some  part,  however  slight,  in  every 
meeting.  To  the  above  all  the  active  members  shall  pledge 
themselves,  understanding  by  "absolute  necessity"  some  rea- 
son for  absence  which  can  conscientiously  be  given  to  their 
Master,  Jesus  Christ.     . 

2.  Once  each  month  a  consecration  or  covenant  meeting 
shall  be  held,  at  which  each  active  member  shall  renew  his 
vows  of  consecration.  If  any  one  chooses,  he  can  express 
his  feelings  by  an  appropriate  verse  of  scripture  or  other 
quotation. 

3.  At  each  consecration  meeting  the  roll  shall  be  called, 
or  some  other  effective  method  of  making  the  record  may  be 
emi^loyed,  and  the  responses  of  the  active  members  who  are 
present  shall  be  considered  a  renewed  expression  of  alle- 
giance to  Christ.  It  is  expected  that  if  any  one  is  obliged  to 
be  absent  from  this  meeting  he  will  send  a  message,  or  at 
least  a  verse  of  scripture,  to  be  read  in  response  to  his  name 
at  the  roll-call. 

4.  If  any  active  member  of  this  society  is  absent  from 
this  monthly  meeting  and  fails  to  send  a  message,  the  Look- 
out Committee  is  expected  to  take  the  name  of  such  a  one, 
and  in  a  kind  and  brotherly  spirit  ascertain  the  reason  for 
the  absence.  If  an  active  member  of  the  society  is  absent 
and  unexcused  from  three  consecutive  monthly  meetings,  his 
name  may  be  stricken  from  the  list  of  members,  on  the  ap- 
proval of  the  Executive  Committee. 

5.  The  Lookout  Committee  may  also,  in  order  to  satisfy 
itself  of  the  Christian  character  of  the  candidate,  present  to 
all  candidates  for  active  membership  the  following  card  to  be 
signed.* 

Trusting  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  strength,  I  promise 
him  that  I  will  strive  to  do  whatever  he  would  have  me  do. 
I  will  make  it  the  rule  of  my  life  to  pray  and  read  the 
Bihle,  to  support  the  work  and  worship  of  my  church,  and 
to  take  my  part  in  the  meetings  and  other  activities  of  this 
society.     These  things  I  ivill  do  unless  hindered  by  conscien- 


*If  this  exact  form  of  words  .s  not  adopted,  it  is  earnestly  hoped  that 
a  pledge  embracing  the  mam  idea  will  be  used. 


108  DISCIPLINE 

tious   reasons;   and   in   them   all   I   will   seek   the   Savior's- 
guidance. 

( Signed ) 

Article  VII. 

BUSINESS    MEETINGS     AND    ELECTIONS. 

1.  Business  meetings  may  be  held  monthly  on  an  evening 
designated  by  the  society,  or  at  any  other  time  upon  call  of 
the  president. 

2.  An  election  of  officers  and  .committees  shall  be  held 
annually  (or  semi-annually,  as  may  be  thought  best).  Names 
may  be  proposed  by  a  nominating  committee  appointed  by 
the  president. 

Article  VIII. 

RELATION   TO  THE   CHURCH. 

1.  This  society  shall  at  no  time  adopt  any  rule  or  prac- 
tice contrary  to  the  Discipline  and  usages  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church. 

2.  This   society   shall   be   auxiliary   to   the   

Conference  Branch  Christian  Endeavor  Union  of  the  United 
Brethren    in    Christ. 

Article  IX. 

DUES. 

This  society  shall  pay  annually  into  the  branch  treasury, 
as  dues,  such  sum  as  may  be  determined  by  the  branch 
union.  It  shall  also  collect  from  each  Junior  and  intermedi- 
ate society  annual  dues.  These  annual  dues  should  be  for- 
warded by  the  treasurer,  on  order,  to  the  treasurer  of  the 
branch  union.  These  amounts  are  due  the  first  of  .January 
each  year,  and  should  be  paid  during  that  month. 

Article  X. 

AMENDMENTS. 

This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  regular  meeting 
by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present,  one  week's 
notice  having  been  given ;  provided  that  Article  II.  and 
Article  IX.  shall  not  be  changed. 

BY-LAWS. 

Article  I. 

MEETINGS. 

1.  Regular  Meetings. — This  society  shall  hold  a  meeting 
on  evening  of  each  week.     The 


YOUNG    people's    WORK  109 

regular  meeting  of  each  month  shall  be  a  testimony  or  con- 
secration meeting.  The  regular  business  meeting  shall  be 
on  the  of  each  month. 

2.  Christian  Culture  Meetings. — Meetings  for  the  study 
of  personal  evangelism,  missions.  Christian  stewardship, 
Christian  citizenship,  or  other  subjects  may  be  held  as  de- 
termined upon  by  the  society.  Such  meetings  may  be  held 
at  the  time  of  the  regular  meetings,  if  agreed  upon  by  the 
executive  committee. 

3,  Literary  Meetings. — Literary  meetings  for  the  pursuit 
of  some  definite  course  of  study  or  for  the  rendering  of  liter- 
ary programs  may  be  held  at  such  times  as  the  society  may 
determine,  and  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  the  Literary 
Committee,  provided  that  nothing  shall  be  given  inconsistent 
with  our  position  as  a  Christian  society. 

Article  II. 

FINANCES. 

The  funds  of  the  society  may  be  raised  by  regular  dues 
payable  at  the  monthly  business  meeting  or  at  the  conse- 
cration meeting,  or  the  society  may  adopt  other  systematic 
plans  for  the  finances.  Monthly  payments  to  missionary 
funds  may  be  made  at  the  time  when  the  monthly  missionary 
topic   is   considered. 

Article  III. 

SUGM5ESTED    COMMITTEES    AND    THEHl    DUTIES. 

1.  Executive  Committee. — See  Constitution,  Article  IV., 
Section    2. 

2.  Lookout  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  com- 
mittee to  bring  new  members  into  the  society,  to  introduce 
them  to  the  work  and  to  the  other  members,  and  to  look  after 
and  reclaim  any  that  seem  indifferent  to  their  duties.  This 
committee  shall  also,  after  consideration,  propose  names  for 
membership  at  least  one  week  before  their  election. 

3.  Devotional  Committee. — This  committee  shall  have  in 
charge  the  meetings,  and  shall  see  that  a  topic  is  assigned 
and  a  leader  appointed  for  every  devotional  meeting.  It 
shall  also  assist  the  leader  in  increasing  the  interest  in  the 
devotional  meetings. 

4.  Bocial  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  com- 
mittee to  promote  the  social  interests  of  the  society  by  wel- 
coming strangers  to  the  meetings,  and  by  providing  for  the 
mutual  acquaintance  of  the  members  by  occasional  sociables, 


110  DISCIPLINE 

for  which  any  appropriate  entertainment  of  which  the  church 
approves  may  be  provided. 

5.  Church  and  Sunday  School  Committee. — It  shall  be 
the  duty  of  this  committee  to  visit  the  young  people  of  the 
community  and  strangers,  invite  them  to  the  Sunday-school 
and  church  services,  and  see  that  they  are  properly  received 
at  these  meetings.  The  committee  shall  also  co-operate  with 
the  pastor  of  the  church  and  the  superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
day school  in  any  way  which  they  may  suggest  for  the  ben- 
efit of  the  church  and  Sunday  school. 

6.  Missionary  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this 
committee  to  awaken  an  intelligent  missionary  enthusiasm 
among  the  members  of  the  society.  This  interest  is  to  be 
aroused  by  holding  missionary  meetings,  promoting  mission 
study  classes,  and  by  using  missionary  funds  as  directed  by 
the  society. 

7.  Music  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  com- 
mittee to  provide  for  the  singing  at  the  young  People's  meet- 
ing, also  to  turn  the  musical  ability  of  the  society  into 
account,  when  necessary,  at  public  religious  meetings. 

8.  The  Relief  Committee. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this 
committee  to  do  what  it  can  to  cheer  and  aid,  if  possible  and 
necessary  by  material  comforts,  the  sick  and  destitute  among 
the  young  people  of  the  church  and  Sunday  school. 

9.  The  Literary  Committee. — The  Literary  Committee 
(of  which  the  pastor  may  be  a  member)  shall  have  charge 
of  the  literary  w^ork  of  the  society.  It  shall  also  do  what 
it  can  to  circulate  the  Watchtcord,  the  Religious  Telescope, 
and  all  other  periodicals  of  the  Church,  among  the  families 
of  the  congregation,  as  the  pastor  of  the  church  may  direct. 
It  may,  if  deemed  best,  distribute  tracts,  and  in  any  other 
suitable  way  introduce  good  reading  matter  wherever  prac- 
ticable. The  Watchword  Agent  may  be  chairman  of  this 
committee. 

10.  Christian  Stewardship  Committee. — It  shall  be  the 
duty  of  this  committee  to  practice  and  teach  by  every  possi- 
ble means  the  duty  of  systematic,  proportionate  giving  to  the 
cause  of  Christ  of  at  least  one-tenth  of  the  income  of  the 
members  of  the  society,  and  to  secure  and  preserve  a  roll  of 
the  members  who  practice  such  giving,  or  will  promise  to  do 
so,  and  through  the  corresponding  secretary  of  the  society 
forward  a  list  of  such  names  to  the  General  Secretary  of 
the  Board  of  Control  or  to  the  Secretary  of  Christian  Stew- 
ardship. 


YOUNG    people's    WORK  111 

11.  College  Committee. — It  shall  be,  the  duty  of  this 
committee  to  keep  the  society  in  touch  with  the  college  with 
which  the  conference  co-operates,  to  awaken  a  desire  in  the 
young  people  for  college  training,  and  communicate  the 
names  of  the  persons  who  may  desire  to  attend  the  college 
to  the  president  of  the  college,  and  to  promote  the  interests 
of  the  college  in  any  reasonable  way  in  which  the  college 
authorities  may  suggest. 

Article  lY. 

ELECTIONS. 

The  election  of  officers  shall  be  held  at  the  regular  busi- 
ness   meeting   in    ,      A    nominating    committee 

may  be  appointed  by  the  president. 

Article  V. 

QUORUM. 

members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the 

transaction  of  business. 

Article  VI. 

AMENDMENTS. 

These  By-Laws  may  be  amended  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of 
the  members  present. 

Section  V. 

MODEL    constitution     FOR    A    JUNIOR    CHRISTIAN     ENDEAVOR 

SOCIETY.* 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the  Junior  Christian 

Endeavor  Societyt  of United  Brethren  Church 

of  . 

Article  II. 
The  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  promote  in  its  mem- 
bers a  pure  and  worthy  character,  to  aid  in  the  study  of  the 
Bible,    and   to   cultivate    the   principles   of   loyal    service    to 
Christ. 


*This  constitution  by  a  few  verbal  changes  may  be  adapted 
to   the   Intermediate   society. 

tWhere  it  is  not  desired  to  use  the  pledge  and  the  Endeavor 
name,  the  society  may  be  called  the  Junior  Young  People's  So- 
ciety. 


112-  DISCIPLINE 

Article  III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

1.  The  members  shall  be  boys  and  girls  from  seven  to 
fifteen  years  of  age,  who  shall  have  been  approved  by  the 
superintendents,  and  elected  by  a  majority  of  the  members 
present  at  any  regular  meeting. 

2.  All  those  who  become  members  shall  pledge  themselves 
to  attend  regularly  the  meetings  of  the  society  and  to  ob- 
serve good  order  in  them. 

^  Article  IV. 

JUNIOR    SOCIETY    PLEDGE. 

Trusting  in  Jesus  Christ  to  help  me,  I  promise  that  I  will 
strive  to  do  'whatever  he  would  like  to  have  me  do;  that  I 
will  pray  and  read  the  Bible,  and  keep  the  Sahhath  day  holy; 
and  that  just  so  far  as  I  know  how  I  will  try  to  lead  a  good 
life;  that  I  will  he  present  at  every  meeting  when  not  hin- 
dered hy  sickness  or  some  other  just  cause;  and  that  I  will 
take  some  part  in  the  meetings,  especially  the  monthly  rec- 
ognition meetings. 


parent's    ANSWER. 

/  have  carefully  read  the  accompanying  pledge  and' cheer- 
fully give  my  consent  for  to  sign  it,  and 

will  do  ivhat  I  can   to  help  to  faithfully 

keep  it. 

Parent's    Name • 

Address 

Article  V. 

OFFICERS. 

1.  The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  superintendent 
and  such  assistant  superintendents  (adults)  as  may  be 
needed,  a  president,  vice-president,  secretary,  and  treasurer. 

2.  The  superintendents  may  be  appointed  by  the  pastor, 
or  elected  by  the  Young  People's  Society  of  the  church,  with 
the  approval  of  the  pastor  and  official  board. 


YOUNG    people's    WORK  113 

Article  VI. 

DUTIES   OF    OFFICERS. 

1.  The  superintendent  shall  have  general  charge  of  the 
society  and  its  work.  A  report  is  to  be  made  to  each  quar- 
terlj'^  conference. 

2.  The  assistant  superintendents  shall  aid  the  superin- 
tendent in  promoting  the  work  of  the  society.  The  first  as- 
sistant may  care  for  all  the  funds  received  from  the  treas- 
urer, 

3.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  business  meetings, 
under  the  advice  of  the  superintendent. 

4.  The  \ice-president  shall  conduct  business  meetings  in 
the  absence  of  the  president. 

5.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  names  and 
attendance  of  members,  and  of  the  proceedings  of  all  busi- 
ness meetings. 

6.  The  treasurer  shall  take  the  collections,  enter  the 
amount  in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose,  and  turn  over 
the  money  to  the  assistant  superintendent  for  safe  keeping. 
A  record  shall  also  be  kept  of  all  expenditures  as  directed 
by  the  superintendent  and  society. 

Article  VII. 

COMMITTEES. 

There  may  be  such  committees  as  the  superintendent 
deems  necessary.  The  members  of  the  committees  may  be 
nominated  by  the  superintendent  and  elected  by  the  society. 

i.  Lookout,  or  Memhership  Committee. — ^This  committee 
shall  secure  the  names  of  those  who  should  join  the  society 
and  seek  to  induce  them  to  become  members.  They  shall 
also  aid  in  keeping  the  members  faithful  in  attendance  and 
taking  part. 

2.  Prayer  Meeting,  or  Devotional. — This  committee  shall 
help  the  superintendent  to  arrange  programs,  provide  music, 
to  distribute  Bibles,  singing  books,  tracts,  etc.,  and  to  aid  in 
every  way  which  the  superintendents  may  direct  to  promote 
the  interests  of  the  meetings. 

3.  Social. — ^This  committee  shall  welcome  the  members  to 
the  meetings  and  help  the  superintendent  in  holding  socials. 

4.  Temperance. — To  canvass  for  signatures  to  the  tem- 
perance pledge  under  the  direction  of  the  superintendents, 
and  to  help  in  any  other  way  to  promote  temperance  work 
among  boys   and   girls. 


114  DISCIPLINE 

Temperance  Pledge. — I  hereby  promise,  God  helping  me, 
to  alistain  from  the  use  of  tobacco  in  every  form,  from  the 
use  of  ivine,  beer,  and  other  intoxicating  drinks,  and  from 
the  use  of  profane  and  unclean  language. 

5.  Executive  Committee. — The  pastor,  superintendents, 
and  the  officers  shall  compose  the  executive  committee,  which 
shall  have  full  control  of  the  affairs  of  the  society. 

Article  VIII. 

MEETINGS. 

1.  A  devotional  meeting  shall  be  held  every  week,  the  ex- 
ercises of  which  shall  consist  of  prayers,  scripture  reading 
and  study,  singing  and  testimony. 

2.  Once  a  month  the  meeting  shall  be  known  as  the  Rec- 
ognition Meeting.  At  some  time  during  the  exercises  the 
pledge,  if  there  is  one,  shall  be  recited  in  concert,  and  the 
roll  called.  The  responses  shall  be  considered  a  renewal  of 
the  pledge  of  the  society. 

3.  Monthly  missionary  meetings  shall  be  held,  at  which 
time  missionary  offerings  may  be  taken. 

4.  All  meetings  shall  be  in  charge  of  the  superintendents, 
employing  the  members  as  leaders  in  the  best  manner  to 
train   them. 

5.  The  pastor  or  superintendents  shall  use  a  part  of  the 
hour  of  the  weekly  meeting,  when  deemed  best,  for  special 
instruction  in  Bible  truth,  or  for  other  profitable  exercises. 

Article  IX. 

RELATIONSHIP. 

This  society  shall  be  considered  a  department  of  the  church 
with  which  it  is  connected.  It  shall  also  sustain  a  close  and 
intimate  relation  to  the  Young  People's  Society  of  the  church 
with  which  the  members  of  the  Junior  society  are  expected 
to  connect  themselves  when  they  have  reached  the  age  limit. 

The  Junior  Christian  Endeavor  Society  in  its  missionary 
activities  is  asked  to  co-operate  with  the  Woman's  Mission- 
ary Association,  which  in  turn,  may  assist  the  Junior  Sup- 
erintendent in  cultivating  a  missionary  interest  among  the 
Juniors  by  suggesting  missionary  literature  and  information. 

BY-LAWS. 

1.      The   regular   meetings    of   this    society    shall    be   held 

.     The  last  meeting  of  each  month  shall  be  a 

recognition  meeting.     The  business  meeting  shall  be  . 


YOUNG    people's    WORK  115 

2.  The  superintendents,  in  consultation  with  the  pastor, 
shall  at  each  election  propose  names  of  available  members 
for  the  several  offices,  who  shall  be  elected  by  a  majority  of 
the  members  present.  The  officers  shall  be  elected  and  the 
committees   appointed  for  a  term  of  six  months,  and  shall 

enter  upon  their  duties  the day  of 

and  the  day  of  of  each  year. 

3.  The  funds  for  the  expenses  of  the  society  and  other 
purposes  may  be  raised  by  regular  dues  or  by  offerings  taken 
at  the  monthly  Recognition  Meetings,  or  at  other  meetings 
as  the  superintendent  may  arrange. 

4.  Special  meetings  of  the  society  may  be  called  at  any 
time  by  the  pastor  or  superintendents. 

5.  The  committees  should  hold  a  meeting  with  the  sup- 
erintendents once  a  month  for  consultation  about  their 
work. 

6.  This  Constitution  and  these  By-Laws  may  be  amended 
at  any  regular  meeting  upon  the  recommendation  of  the 
executive  committee. 

MODEL    CONSTITUTION    FOR    THE    CONFERENCE    BRANCH 
CHRISTIAN  ENDEAVOR  UNION.* 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  organization  shall  be  called  the  Christian  Endeavor 

Union  of  the Conference  of  the  Church  of  the 

United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

The  object  of  this  Union  shall  be  to  unite  the  Young 
People's  Christian  Societies  of  the  conference,  of  whatever 
fiame,  for  mutual  helpfulness,  and  for  stimulating  Church 
loyalty,  and  an  intelligent  interest  in  the  various  Church  en- 
terprises, and  for  the  organization  and  extension  of  Young 
People's  Christian  Societies  within  the  conference. 

Article  III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

1.  Any  Young  People's  Christian  Endeavor  Society, 
Young  People's  Christian  Union,  or  any  other  Young  Peo- 


*The  incorporation  of  the  name  "Christian  Endeavor"  was 
authorized  by  the  Biennial  Convention,  1908,  and  was  approved 
by   the   General   Conference. 


116  DISCIPLINE 

pie's  Christian  organization  connected  with,  a  United  Breth- 
ren Church  in  this  conference  may  be  a  member  of  this 
Branch  Union.  Local  Junior  and  intermediate  societies 
may  likewise  be  members. 

2.  Each  Young  People's  Society  shall  be  entitled  to  — — 
delegates,  and  each  Junior  and  Intermediate  Society  to 
delegates  to  the  conventions  of  the  Branch  Union. 

Article  IV. 

OFFICERS. 

1.  The  officers  shall  be  a  president,  a  vice-president,  a 
recording  secretary,  a  corresponding  secretary,  a  treasurer, 
one  or  more  Junior  superintendents,  and  such  other  depart- 
ment superintendents  as  may  be  deemed  necessary.  These 
shall  be  elected  at  the  regular  convention  of  the  union. 

2.  The  Branch  Executive  Committee  shall  consist  of  all 
the  regularly-elected  officers  of  the  Branch  Union,  and  such 
other  members  as  may  be  elected.  This  committee  should 
co-operate  with  the  conference  board  of  the  Department  of 
Sunday  School,  Brotherhood,  and  Young  People's  Work. 

Article  V. 

DUTIES. 

1.  The  duties  of  the  president,  vice-president,  and  treas- 
urer shall  be  such  as  usually  devolve  upon  such  officers. 

2.  The  duties  of  the  recording  secretary  shall  be  to  keep 
a  record  of  all  transactions  of  the  union  and  of  the  execu- 
tive  committee. 

3.  The  duties  of  the  corresponding  secretary  shall  be  to 
keep  a  list  of  the  societies  in  the  conference,  with  the  name 
of  the  president  and  corresponding  secretary  of  each,  and  a 
list  of  the  officers  of  the  Branch  Union ;  to  furnish  the  same 
to  the  General  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Control  of  Sunday 
School.  Brotherhood,  and  Young  People's  Work ;  to  conduct 
all  correspondence ;  and  to'  be  the  organizer  of  new  societies 
within   the   conference. 

4.  The  Junior  superintendents  shall  have  charge  of  the 
Junior  work  in  the  branch. 

5.  The  executive  committee  shall  look  after  the  interests 
of  the  Young  People's  societies  in  the  conference,  provide  for 
meeting  necessary  expenses,  provide  for  the  collection  of 
annual  dues  and  the  payment  of  the  proper  amounts  to  the 
General  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Control  at  Dayton,  Ohio, 


YOUNG    people's    WORK  117 

arrange   for  the   annual   meetings,   and   perform  such   other 
duties  as  may  be  requested  by  the  Board  of  Control. 

Article  VI. 

CONVENTIONS. 

1.  The  conventions  of  this  Branch  Union  shall  be  annual, 
at  such  time  and  place  as  may  be  determined  by  the  union 
or  by  its  executive  committee. 

Article  VII. 

FINANCES. 

The  funds  for  the  regular  work  of  this  union  may  be 
raised  by  annual  dues  levied  upon  each  Young  People's, 
Intermediate,  and  Junior  Society  in  the  conference,  the 
amount  to  be  determined  by  the  union.  Each  society  shall 
also  make  a  contribution  by  dues  or  otherwise  to  the  benev- 
olence budget. 

The  missionary  funds  raised  by  the  Junior  Christi£Cn  En- 
deavor Societies  for  missionary  purposes  other  than  con- 
ference missionary  objects  shall  be  sent  by  the  Branch 
Christian  Endeavor  treasurer  to  the  treasurer  of  the 
Woman's  Missionary  Association  at  Dayton,   Ohio. 

Article  VIII. 

BY-LAWS. 

The  Branch  Union  may  enact  such  by-laws  as  conference 
conditions  and  needs  may  require.  It  is  expected  that  no 
by-laws  inconsistent  with  the  general  good  of  the  Young 
People's  work  in  the  Church  will  be  enacted. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Christian  Stewardship, 

1.  The  outstanding  principles  of  Christian  Stewardship 
in  the  Word  of  God  and  fostered  by  the  United  Brethren 
Church  are  God's  ownership  and  man's  stewardship.  The 
resources  of  the  earth,  the  mines,  the  forest,  the  fields,  the 
cattle  upon  a  thousand  hills  are  His.  Man,  into  whose 
hands  these  things  are  given,  is  to  administer  them  in  such 
a  way  as  to  carry  out  God's  purposes  in  the  establishment 
or  His  Kingdom. 

In  His  Word  there  are  given  three  distinct  statements 
concerning  the  part  He  has  reserved  for  Himself  for  this 
purpose :  First,  "The  Tithe  is  the  Lord's," — it  does  not 
and  cannot  belong  to  man.  Second,  "It  is  holy  unto  the 
Lord," — a  sacred  thing  which  we  should  devotedly  return  to 
Him.  Third,  "Bring  the  tithe  into  the  place  which  the  Lord 
thy  God  shall  choose  to  set  His  name  there," — offer  it  with 
devotion  in  the  house  or  place  set  aside  for  His  worship. 

On  the  first  day  of  the  week  we  are  to  worship  by  cheer- 
fully bringing  an  offering  as  God  hath  prospered.  Christ 
declared  of  tithing,  "This  ought  ye  to  have  done  and  not  to 
leave   the    matter   of   judgment,    mercy   and    faith   undone." 

2.  For  the  promotion  alike  of  the  benevolences  and  the 
local  support  of  the  church,  it  is  ordered 

(1)  That  a  General  Commission  on  Finance  be  elected. 

(2)  That  a  General  Budget  for  Benevolences  be  provided. 

(3)  That  the  various  Benevolent  Boards  submit  annual- 
ly to  the  Commission  on  Finance  their  minimum  needs  and 
their  authorized  goals  for  correlation,  revision,  and  appor- 
tionment to  the  various  annual  conferences. 

(4)  That  each  annual  conference  provide  a  commission 
on  budget,  who,  with  the  conference  superintendent,  will 
apportion  the  annual  conference  budget  to  the  various 
charges. 

(5)  That  the  every-member  canvass  and  weekly  offering 
system  be  adopted  by  all  our  churches  for  local  church  sup- 
port and  benevolent  offerings. 

118 


CHRISTIAN    STEWARDSHIP  119 

The  General  Commission  and}  Its  Duties. 
3.  (1)  The  Commission  on  Finance  shall  consist  of  a 
representative  of  the  Board  of  Bishops,  selected  by  the 
Board,  five  laymen  and  five  ministers  elected  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference,  the  General  Church  Treasurer,  and  the 
executive  officer  elect  of  each  of  the  benevolent  boards  whose 
support  is  authorized  by  the  General  Conference  and  whose 
funds  are  included  in  the  Benevolence  budget ;  namely  • 
Home  Missions,  Foreign  Missions,  Church  Erection,  Board 
of  Control,  Board  of  Education,  Preachers'  Pension  Bureau, 
and  the  business  manager  of  Bonebrake  Seminary.  The 
General  Conference  shall  elect  an  executive  secretary  who 
shall  not  be  a  member  of  the  commission. 

(2)  After  the  election  of  the  executive  officer.^  of  the 
various  benevolence  boards,  the  senior  bishop  shall  call  a 
meeting  of  the  executive  officers  elect  who  shall,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  committee  on  nominations,  place  in  nomina- 
tion three  times  the  number  of  laymen  and  ministers  to  be 
elected. 

(3)  The  Commission  on  Finance  shall  meet  within  thirty 
days  after  the  adjournment  of  General  Conference  on  the 
call  of  the  bishop  selected  by  the  Board  of  Bishops  as  their 
representative.  It  shall  elect  a  chairman  and  recording  sec- 
retary and  such  committees  as  shall  be  needed.  It  shall 
hold  an  annual  meeting  at  which  time  the  budget  shall  be 
arranged.  Called  meetings  may  be  held  at  such  time  as  may 
be  necessary  on  the  request  of  seven  members  of  the  Com- 
mission. 

(4)  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Commission  to  study  the 
entire  benevolence  work  of  the  denomination  and  develop  a 
purpose  and  passion  that  will  lead  the  Church  to  reach  the 
highest  possible  standard  of  efficiency. 

^  It  shall  secure  from  the  various  benevolence  boards  their 
askings  for  the  year's  needs  and  agree  upon  the  minimum 
amount  to  be  included  in  the  General  Benevolence  Budget 
for  each  board.  Its  decisions  shall  be  based  upon  the  pres- 
ent giving  and  possible  future  needs  of  the  respective  boards. 
It  shall  apportion  the  budget  to  the  various  annual  confer- 
ences and  mission  districts. 

It  shall  conduct  an  extensive  educational  campaign 
through  a  large  use  of  the  Church  press,  conferences,  insti- 
tutes, and  such  other  agencies  as  will  assure  success  to  the 
apportionment  plan,  and  bring  each  annual  conference  and 


120  DISCIPLINE 

local  church  into  sympathetic  co-operation  to  reach  the  full 
apportionment. 

It  shall  seek  to  simplify  and  systematize  the  financial 
policy  of  the  Church ;  to  emphasize  the  unity  of  the  various 
departments,  and  promote  Christian  stewardship  and  the 
tithe   principle. 

The  Commission  shall  be  entrusted  with  the  working  out 
in  detail  of  the  new  financial  plan  for  benevolences  as  to  the 
fuller  organization  of  the  work,  the  manner  of  education, 
publicity,  introduction  and  promotion  throughout  the  Church. 

(5)  The  General  Benevolence  Budget  of  the  Church  shall 
be  the  amount  agreed  upon  for  each  board,  plus  the  salaries 
of  the  bishops,  General  Church  Treasurer's  ofiice  expenses, 
the  expense  of  the  Commission  on  Finance,  the  General 
Conference  expense  fund,  and  such  other  funds  as  may  be 
authorized  by  the  General  Conference. 

(6)  Our  bishops,  general  secretaries,  conference  super- 
intendents, pastors,  and  local  church  ofiicers  everywhere  shall 
join  with  the  Commission  in  introducing  and  working  out 
in  the  local  church  the  plan  of  finance  adopted  by  this  con- 
ference. 

(7)  All  general  benevolence  enterprises  that  look  to  the 
Church  for  support  shall  secure  from  this  Commission  on 
Finance  its  endorsement  before  making  appeals  for  money. 

Apportionment  and  Division  of  Funds. 

(8)  The  annual  apportionment  to  the  whole  number  of 
annual  conferences  for  the  benefit  of  the  various  depart- 
ments shall  be  determined  by  the  Commission  on  Finance, 
which  Commission  shall  also  make  an  equitable  apportion- 
ment of  the  same  to  the  several  conferences  through  the 
General  Benevolence  Budget.  The  amount  so  apportioned 
shall  be  based  upon  the  possible  future  needs  of  the 
various  departments  and  the  church's  present  giving.  The 
annual  conferences  shall  make  an  apportionment  of  the  Gen- 
eral Benevolence  Budget  including  the  annual  conference 
budget  to  the  various  charges  in  the  conference.  The  entire 
amount  collected  from  the  various  charges  in  the  conference 
shall  be  divided  between  the  General  Benevolence  Budget 
and  the  Annual  Conference  Budget  on  the  basis  of  the 
proportion  that  each  sustains  to  the  entire  budget.  The 
amount  of  the  General  Benevolence  Budget  shall  be  trans- 
mitted immediately  to  the  General  Church  Treasurer  at 
Dayton,  Ohio,  who  shall  at  once  send  a  copy  of  the  receipts 


CHRISTIAN    STEWARDSHIP  121 

to  the  various  departments.  The  General  Church  Treasurer 
shall  credit  to  the  various  departments  the  amounts  due 
them  from  this  fund  on  the  basis  of  the  proportion  that  the 
apportionment  for  them  to  that  conference  sustains  to  the 
entire    General    benevolence    Budget    for   said   conference. 

(9)  Should  an  annual  conference  or  its  finance  commis- 
sion consider  its  apportionment  excessive,  it  may,  through 
its  commission  on  finance,  confer  with  the  general  commis- 
sion on  finance  for  adjustment  of  the  apportionment. 

The  Annual  Conference. 

4.  (1)  There  shall  be  in  each  annual  conference  a  com- 
mission composed  of  the  conference  superintendents  and  an 
equal  number  of  ministers  and  laymen  elected  by  the  annual 
conference  who  shall  arrange  for  the  annual  conference  bud- 
get and  apportion  it  to  the  various  charges.  This  commission 
shall  co-operate  with  the  committee  in  the  local  church  and 
the  General  Commission  on  Finance  in  working  out  the  new 
financial  plan  on  each  charge, 

(2)  The  annual  conference  budget  shall  consist  of  the 
apportionment  of  the  General  Budget,  plus  the  annual  con- 
ference benevolences,  which  shall  include  the  apportionment 
for  the  educational  institutions  with  which  the  conference 
co-operates.  In  fixing  the  amount  to  be  apportioned  to  the 
annual  conference  benevolences  consideration  should  be  given 
to  the  real  needs  and  the  present  and  past  giving  of  the 
conferences  to  these  benevolences.  The  conference  commis- 
sion shall  report  to  the  annual  conference  the  entire  con- 
ference budget  and  the  amount  included  for  each  interest 
for  adjustment  and  adoption. 

(3)  In  apportioning  this  budget  to  the  various  charges, 
the  conference  commission  shall  be  governed  by  the  ability 
and  the  standard  of  giving  of  the  local  church  or  churches. 

(4)  The  entire  amount  collected  from  the  various 
charges  in  the  conference  shall  be  divided  between  the  Gen- 
eral Benevolence  Budget  and  the  conference  budget  on  the 
basis  of  the  proportion  that  each  sustains  to  the  entire 
budget. 

(5)  AW  conference  benevolence  work  shall  first  be  ap- 
proved by  the  conference  commission  on  finance  before  being 
presented  to  the  local  churches. 

(G)  Should  the  local  church  or  charge  consider  the  ap- 
portionment  made  by  the  annual  conference  as  excessive  the 


122  DISCIPLINE 

official   board  of   the  local   church    (or  charge)    may   confer 
with  the  conference  commission  on  finance  for  re-adjustment. 

The  Local  Church. 

5.  (1)  Each  local  church  shall  give  special  attention  to 
systematic  instruction  in  Christian  stewardship  and  the 
methods  of  finance  recommended  by  the  commission. 

(2)  The  official  board  shall  elect  a  benevolence  com- 
mittee in  each  local  church  who  in  conjunction  with  the 
pastor  shall  provide  for  the  benevolence  offerings  of  the 
church. 

(3)  The  benevolence  committee  shall  direct  an  every- 
member  canvass  of  the  members  and  supporters  of  the 
church  for  an  offering  on  the  weekly  basis  for  the  benevo- 
lence budget.  This  canvass  when  possible  shall  be  made  at 
a  different  time  from  that  for  the  current  expense  budget, 

(4)  It  is  recommended  by  the  General  Conference  that 
pastors  and  official  boards  give  the  official  benevolences  the 
right  of  way  before  allowing  special  and  outside  local  benev- 
olences to  be  presented  to  their  congregations  ;  furthermore, 
such  appeals  shall  only  be  presented  after  they  have  the 
endorsement  of  the  official  board. 

Plan  of  Finance  for  the  Local  Church. 

6.  (1)  The  official  board  or  the  quarterly  conference 
shall  arrange  a  budget  for  the  current  expenses,  including 
the  pastor's  salary,  the  conference  superintendent's  salary, 
unless  otherwise  provided  by  the  annual  conference,  and  all 
the  other  local  church  expenses  for  the  year. 

(2)  A  committee  on  finance  shall  be  elected  by  the  offi- 
cial board.  This  committee  shall  provide  for  a  personal 
canvass  of  the  members  and  supporters  of  the  church  for 
an  annual  pledge  on  the  weekly  basis,  and  when  practical 
this  canvass  shall  be  made  prior  to  the  beginning  of  the 
fiscal  year.  This  canvass  can  be  omitted  when  the  scriptural 
plan  has  been  adopted  of  bringing  the  whole  tithe  into  the 
storehouse. 

(3)  The  official  board  shall  elect  a  financial  secretary 
and  two  treasurers,  one  to  care  for  the  current  expense 
fund  and  the  other  for  the  benevolence  offerings  of  the 
church.  The  financial  secretary  shall  keep  an  account  of 
the  offerings  to  both  budgets  in  a  book  provided  for  that 
purpose.  The  treasurer  of  the  benevolence  fund  shall  remit 
to    the    conference    treasurer    monthly    or    quarterly.      The 


CHRISTIAN    STEWARDSHIP  123 

treasurer  of  the  current  expense  fund  shall  distribute  it  as 
ordered  by  the  oflacial  board. 

The  Sunday  School. 

7.  (1)  A  budget  covering  all  the  current  expenses  of 
the  Sunday  School  may  be  prepared  by  the  proper  officials 
of  the  Sunday  school  and  the  same  shall  be  submitted  to 
the  church  committee  on  finance  to  be  incorporated  in  the 
local  church's  current  expense  budget,  and  all  bills  shall  be 
paid  by  the  church  treasurer  on  orders  signed  by  the  super- 
intendent and  secretary  of  the  Sunday  school. 

(2)  The  regular  offerings  taken  in  the  Sunday  school 
shall  be  applied  on  the  budgets  adopted  by  the  local  church. 

(3)  When  practical  the  envelope  system  for  offering  is 
to  be  used,  and  a  definite  per  cent,  of  the  offering  shall  be 
apportioned  by  the  Sunday  School  Board  to  both  the  cur- 
rent expense  and  benevolent  budgets  of  the  local  church.  If 
the  duplex  envelope  is  used,  then  the  amount  indicated  by 
the  giver  shall  go  to  each  budget.  The  every-member  can- 
vass plan  may  be  carried  out  in  the  Sunday  school. 

ApiJortionments. 

8.  The  benevolence  budget  is  not  an  assessment  but 
what  is  asked  of  the  local  church  through  the  General  Com- 
mission on  Finance  to  sustain  the  various  boards  and  the 
work  of  the  conference.  It  is  to  be  regarded  as  the  min- 
imum and  not  the  maximum  standard  of  giving. 

Previous  to  the  every-member  canvass  for  both  current 
expense  and  benevolence  budgets,  there  should  be  special 
sermons  and  inspirational  addresses  and  systematic  study 
of  the  methods  of  presenting  the  new  financial  plan  and  the 
needs  of  the  various  boards  and  the  work  of  the  annual 
conference. 


PART  VI. 

Benevolent  and  Educational   Institutions 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

The  Home  Missionary  Society, 
constitution. 
Article  I. 
This  society  shall  be  called  the  Home  Missionary  Society 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ   (the  legal  successor  of  the 
Home,    Frontier,    and    Foreign    Missionary    Society    of    the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ  in  its  home  work),  and  is  organ- 
ized for  the  purpose  of  extending  and  establishing  the  work 
of  the  Church  in  the  home  field. 

Article  II. 
The  Board  of  Control  shall  consist  of  six  directors  who 
shall  be  elected  by  the  General  Conference,  and  three  direc- 
tors who  shall  be  elected  by  the  trustees  of  the  Woman's 
Missionary  Association.  The  Board  of  Bishops  and  the 
General  Secretary  of  the  society  shall  be  members  ex  officio. 
A  majority  of  the  members  present  at  any  regular  or  called 
meeting  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Article  III. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Immediately  upon  adjournment  of  the  General  Conference, 
a  meeting  of  the  board  shall  be  called  by  the  secretary,  and 
an  organization  effected  for  the  quadrennium  by  electing  a 
president,  vice-president,  and  an  executiive  committee.  Six 
members  shall  be  chosen  for  the  executive  committee,  four 
by  the  directors  of  the  Home  Missionary  Society  and  two  by 
the  trustees  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Association.  The 
General  Secretary  of  the  society  shall  be  a  member  ex  officio. 

Article  IV. 

DUTIES   OF   OFFICERS. 

1.  President.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings 
of  the  board,  and  shall  have  power,  in  conjunction  with  the 

124 


THE    HOME    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY  125 

secretary,   to  call  special   meetings.     In  the  absence  of  the 
president  the  vice-president  shall  take  his  place. 

2.  Secretary.  The  general  secretary  shall  keep  correct 
minutes  of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  society,  conduct  its 
correspondence,  and  keep  a  record  of  all  bequests,  legacies, 
notes,  and  other  valuable  papers  coming  into  his  possession. 
He  shall  also  make  out  and  publish  an  annual  report  of  the 
work  of  the  society ;  also,  a  quadrennial  report  for  the  Gen- 
eral Conference.  It  shall  be  his  further  duty,  when  prac- 
ticable, to  visit  the  fields  where  the  board  is  giving  aid,  with 
the  view  of  acquainting  himself  and  the  board  with  the 
condition  and  needs  of  the  work.  He  shall  give  himself  to 
the  raising  of  funds  by  visiting  churches,  and  personally 
representing  the  interests  of  the  society.  He  shall  have  the 
privilege  of  one  page  in  the  Religious  Telescope,  subject  to 
the  general  approval  of  the  editor.  His  salary  shall  be  fixed 
by  the  General  Conference. 

3.  Treasurer.  The  General  Church  Treasurer  shall  ht)ld 
the  funds  of  the  society,  subject  to  the  order  of  the  board. 
The  General  Conference  shall  fix  his  salary.  The  propor- 
tion of  his  salary  to  be  paid  by  this  society  shall  be  paid  by 
the  executive  committee  in  conjunction  with  the  other  boards 
having  the  services  of  said  General  Treasurer. 

Article  Y. 

DUTIES   OF   THE   BOARD  OF   CONTROL. 

This  board  shall  hold  annual  meetings,  appoint  an  execu- 
tive committee,  make  by-laws  for  the  better  regulation  of  its 
work,  appropriate  funds  for  current  expenses,  employ  mis- 
sionaries, open  new  missions,  appoint  superintendents  for 
mission  districts,  authorize  or  discontinue  appropriations, 
fill  vacancies  in  its  own  body  and  in  connection  with  one 
or  more  of  the  bishops,  ordain  missionaries  in  its  employ  to 
the  "office  of  elder,  provided  such  missionaries  have  taken  the 
course  of  study  required  by  Discipline,  or  its  equivalent.  It 
shall  also  have  power  in  conjunction  with  the  bishop  of  the 
district,  to  nominate  persons  for  conference  superintendents 
in  conferences  where  said  superintendents  are  supported  in 
part  by  the  board. 

Article  YI. 

BRANCH   SOCIETIES. 

Each  annual  conference  shall  organize  a  branch  society, 
auxiliary    to    the    Home    Missionary    Society,    consisting    of 


126  DISCIPLINE 

three  members,  naming  one  as  its  secretary,  who  shall  assist 
the  general  secretary  in  developing  interests  in  home  mis- 
sions and  securing  gifts  for  the  society.  It  shall  also  be  the 
duty  of  the  branches  to  hold  home  mission  rallies  in  their 
respective  conferences,  co-operating  with  the  general  society 
in  organizing  home  mission  study  classes  and  the  general 
spread  of  home  mission  information. 

Article  VII. 

FUNDS. 

1.  The  proceeds  of  permanent  funds  hereafter  secured 
shall  be  used  by  the  Home  board,  unless  the  donors  direct 
otherwise. 

The  annual  apportionment  and  division  of  funds  shall  be 
by  the  Commission  on  Finance  as  outlined  in  the  plan  for 
said  Commission  in  Chapter  XV.,  page  120. 

2.  Each  of  our  Sunday  schools  in  its  auxiliary  relation- 
ship to  the  Home  Missionary  Society  is  expected  to  observe 
the  monthly  Missionary  Day.  Exercise  will  be  rendered  and 
an  offering  taken  for  the  benevolence  budget.  In  places 
where  a  monthly  Missionary  Day  seems  impracticable  each 
school  will  be  required  to  observe  a  Missionary  Day  once 
a  quarter.  The  first  and  third  quarters  shall  be  devoted  to 
the  study  of  foreign  missions,  the  second  and  fourth  quar- 
ters shall  be  devoted  to  the  study  of  home  missions,  the 
offerings  during  these  quarters  to  go  to  the  benevolence 
budget. 

3.  *The  month  of  November  shall  be  observed  by  all  our 
congregations  as  a  time  of  prayer  and  thanksgiving  for 
missions,  and  pastors  shall  preach  on  the  subject  and  turn 
the  attention  of  the  people  toward  the  extension  of  the 
Master's  kingdom  in  the  home  field. 

4.  Special  efforts  shall  be  made  by  the  general  secretary, 
pastors,  and  conference  superintendents  to  secure  wills,  be- 
quests, and  deeded  properties  for  the  purpose  of  building  up 
a  permanent  fund,  the  interest  only  to  be  used  for  home 
missions. 

Article  VIII. 

LOCAL  OROANIZATION. 

A  missionary  committee  may  be  organized  in  any  local 
church  to  interest  and  enlist  the  entire  membership  of  the 


♦Tliis  paragraph  applies  alike  to  the  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety. 


THE    HOME    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY  127 

local  church  in  the  work  of  both  home  and  foreign  missions, 
and  devise  such  methods  and  measures  as  shall  develop  the 
church  into  a  strong  missionary  agency. 

Article  IX. 

MISSION    DISTRICTS. 

A  mission  district  shall  consist  of  three  or  more  fields  of 
labor  outside  the  bounds  of  an  annual  conference.  The  reg- 
ular sessions  of  its  ministers  and  lay  delegates  shall  be  pre- 
sided over  by  a  bishop  or  an  elder  appointed  by  the  board. 
At  these  meetings  the  regular  business  of  an  annual  confer- 
ence may  be  transacted,  except  that  the  superintendent  shall 
be  appointed  by  the  board. 

Article  X. 

UNOCCUPIED    TERRITORY. 

The  Home  Mission  Board  may  operate  in  any  territory 
within  the  bounds  of  an  annual  conference  not  occupied  by 
said  conference,  and  by  consent  of  the  same. 

Article  XI. 

MISSIONARIES. 

Every  missionary  in  the  board's  employ  shall  report  to  the 
general  secretary  monthly  respecting  the  condition  of  his 
charge  ;  and  no  missionary  shall  be  entitled  to  his  salary  if 
he  neglects  this  requirement,  or  leaves  his  field  without  the 
consent  of  the  board  or  his  conference  superintendent.  A 
similar  quarterly  report  is  also  required  of  conference  super- 
intendents employed  by  the  board. 

Article  XII. 

SOCIAL   SERVICE. 

The  Home  Missionary  Society  shall  be  authorized  to  create 
a  bureau  of  social  service  and  reform  as  funds  in  their 
hands  will  permit. 

Article  XIII. 

THE    RELATION    OF    THE    MINISTRY    TO    HOME    MISSIONS. 

1.  Every  pastor  in  charge  of  a  field  of  labor  shall  seek 
to  organize  and  train  the  membership  of  his  charge  to  be- 
come an  efiicient  force  in  the  extension  of  our  missionary 
work  in  the  home  field,  by  the  organization  of  home  mission 
study  classes,  the  introduction  of  mission  training  in  the 
Sunday  school  and  the  promotion  of  the  laymen's  missionary 


128  DISCIPLINE 

movement,  which  is  to  be  both  home  and  foreign  in  its  edu- 
cational and  benevolent  work.  He  shall  strive  earnestly  to 
get  every  member  of  the  Church  to  give  systematically  to 
the  benevolence  budget  and  report  the  offerings  quarterly 
to   the   conference  treasurer. 

2.  The  bishops  of  the  Church  and  the  conference  super- 
intendents shall  promote  home  missions  by  sermons,  and 
addresses,  and  by  careful  inquiry  concerning  the  work  being 
done  on  the  various  charges  for  this  cause ;  and  they  shall 
seek  to  develop  the  missionary  spirit  by  aiding  the  mission- 
ary institutes  and  in  the  widespread  study  of  home  missions. 

3.  The  bishops  shall  visit  new  and  promising  openings, 
especially  in  the  cities  and  large  towns,  and  give  personal 
direction  in  establishing  missions  within  the  bounds  of  their 
districts. 

Article  XIV. 

OPENING    MISSIONS. 

The  bishop  of  the  district  and  the  General  Home  Mission 
Board  shall  be  counselled  in  opening  new  missions  where 
they  are  expecting  help  for  the  support  of  the  pastor. 

Article  XV. 

SELF-SUPPORT. 

When  the  Board  makes  appropriations  it  shall  be  with  a 
clear  understanding  that  said  aid  is  to  be  reduced  from  year 
to  year  and  the  point  so  aided  shall  plan  for  self-support 
at  the  earliest  possible  moment.  Deviation  from  this  rule 
shall  be  onlj^  in  case  of  emergency. 

Article  XVI. 

APPLICATION   FOR   APPROPRIATION. 

In  conferences  expecting  an  appropriation  the  Conference 
Home  Missions  Committee  and  the  Conference  Church  Ex- 
tension Board  shall  make  known  to  the  Home  Missionary 
Society  at  least  two  months  before  annual  conference  the 
amount  actually  needed  for  the  coming  year,  and  in  turn  the 
Home  Mission  Office  shall  inform  such  conference  authori- 
ties as  to  the  approximate  amount  they  expect  to  appro- 
priate, and  the  conference  shall  furnish  the  Home  Mission 
Office  a  schedule  of  the  places,  names,  and  amounts  for  the 
final  action  of  the  Home  Board. 


THE    HOME    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY  129 

Article  XVII. 

ANNUAL    CONFERENCE    TREASURER. 

Each  annual  conference  shall  elect  a  treasurer  of  benev- 
olences who  shall  report  quarterly  the  amount  received  for 
home  missions  to  the  General  Church  Treasurer  at  Dayton. 
Ohio,  who  shall  make  record  thereof  and  receipt  for  the 
same. 

Article  XVIII. 

RURAL   LIFE. 

In  view  of  the  vital  importance  to  present  day  life  of  the 
problem-  of  the  rural  church  and  rural  life,  bishops  are 
requested  to  give  special  consideration  to  this  question 
during  the  coming  quadrennium.  Add  to  new  Article  XII, 
the  following :  The  Home  Mission  Board  is  authorized  to 
create  a  commission  on  present  day  rural  life  problems,  and 
the  relation  of  the  Church  to  their  solution.  This  commis- 
sion shall  seek  to  reach  its  objectives  through  careful  inves- 
tigation and  active  education  and  to  participate  where  pos- 
sible with  other  organizations  engaged  in  similar  work.  It 
shall  particularly  assist  our  own  conferences  in  any  rural 
life  work  which  they  may  undertake. 

Article  XIX. 
It   shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Home  Mission   Secretary   to 
secure    from    the    conference    treasurer    full    reports    of    all 
moneys  paid  by  the  conference  to  pastors  serving  conference 
home  missions. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

The  Foreign  Missionary  Society, 

constitution. 

Article   I. 

NAME. 

This  society  shall  be  called  the  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  (the  legal  successor 
of  the  Home,  Frontier,  and  E'oreign  Missionary  Society  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  in  its  foreign  work.) 

Article  II. 

FUNCTIONS. 

This  society  is  organized  for  the  purpose  of  extending  the 
knowledge  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  throughout  the  earth  by 
the  utilization  of  the  resources  of  the  Church.  Said  society 
shall,  through  its  distributed  activities,  promote  an  interest 
in  foreign  missions  by  approved  methods  in  the  home 
churches,  Sundaj^  schools,  and  Young  People's  societies.  It 
shall  disseminate  information  touching  mission  fields,  it 
shall  appoint,  commission,  and  send  forth  missionaries,  and 
conduct  any  and  all  work  that  properly  devolves  upon  such 
a  society. 

Article  III. 

MEMUEllSIIir. 

Every  person,  by  virtue  of  becoming  a  member  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  is  a  member  of 
the   Foreign  Missionary    Society. 

Article  IV. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  organization  of  the  society  shall  consist  of  a  board 
of  directors,  an  executive  committee,  an  annual  conference 
branch  society,  and  a  committee  in  every  local  church. 

Article  V. 

DIRECTORS    AND    THEIR    DUTIES. 

].  The  board  of  directors  shall  consist  of  the  bishops  of 
the  Church,  the   general  secretary,   six  directors,  who  shall 

130 


^  THE  FOREIGN    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY  lol 

be  elected  by  the  General  Conference,  and  three  directors 
who  shall  be  chosen  by  the  trustees  of  the  Woman's  Mis- 
sionary Association.  A  majority  of  the  members  present 
at  any  regular  or  called  meeting  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 
The  officers  of  the  society  shall  consist  of  a  president,  to 
be  elected  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  directors  in  each  quad- 
rennium ;  a  secretary,  who  shall  be  the  general  secretary 
elected  by  General  Conference,  and  a  treasurer,  who  shall 
be  the  General  Church  Treasurer.  The  bishops  of  the 
Church  shall  be  vice-presidents  in  the  order  of  their  senior- 
ity   in   office. 

2.  The  board  of  directors  shall  have  charge  of,  and  give 
directions  to  all  the  work  of  the  society.  The  board  ot 
directors  shall  hold  a  meeting  once  every  year,  and  upon  the 
request  of  the  executive  committee,  the  president  shall  call 
special  sessions  for  the  transaction  of  important  business. 
The  board  shall  make  by-laws  to  regulate  the  business  of 
the  society ;  receive  and  pass  upon  the  reports  of  the  gen- 
eral secretary,  treasurer,  minutes  of  the  executive  committee, 
and  reports  from  the  foreign  fields ;  make  a  careful  study  of 
the  needs  of  the  work  abroad  and  appropriate  the  money 
necessary  to  carry  forward  the  entire  work  of  the  society"; 
employ  secretaries  for  the  cultivation  of  the  home  Church  ; 
appoint  foueign  missionaries  and  fill  vacancies  in  its  own 
body ;  in  connection  with  the  bishops  or  any  one  of  them, 
ordain  missionaries  to  the  office  of  elder,  provided  such  mis- 
sionaries have  taken  the  courses  of  study  specified  by  the 
Discipliji'ri,  ^r  their  equivalent ;  determine  the  aims  and 
methods  to  be  pursued  in  enlisting  the  home  Church  in  the 
extension  of  the  gospel ;  elect  four  meml.ers  of  the  executive 
committee,  and  have  the  use  of  one  page  in  the  Religious 
Telescope  each  week,  which  page  shall  be  conducted  by  the 
general  secretary,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  editor. 

Article  VI. 

THE    EXECUTIVE    COMMITTEE    AND    ITS    DUTIES. 

Six  members  shall  be  chosen  for  the  executive  committee, 
four  by  the  directors  of  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  and 
two  by  the  trustees  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Association. 
The  general  secretary  of  the  society  shall  be  an  ex  officio 
member  of  the  committee.  The  committee  shall  have  charge 
of  all  the  business  of  the  society  between  the  annual  meet- 
ings. In  the  appointment  of  missionaries,  and  in  making 
appropriations   not  authorized   by   the   board,   the   committee 


132  DISCIPLnSTE 

shall,   through  correspondence   or   otherwise,   secure   the   ap- 
proval of  a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  board. 

Article  VII. 

.BRANCH    ORGANIZATION. 

Every  annual  conference  shall  organize  a  branch  society, 
auxiliary  to  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  consisting  ot 
three  members,  naming  one  as  its  secretary,  who  shall  assist 
the  general  secretary  in  developing  interest  in  foreign  mis- 
sions and  securing  gifts  for  the  society. 

Article  VIII. 

LOCAL   CHURCH    COMMITTEE.  . 

A  missionary  committee  shall  be  organized  in  every  local 
church  to  interest  and  enlist  the  entire  membership  of  the 
local  church  in  the  work  of  both  home  and  foreign  missions, 
and  devise  such  methods  and  measures  as  shall  develop  the 
Church  into  a  strong  missionary  agency. 

Article  IX. 

DUTIES    OF    THE    GENERAL    SECRETARY. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  secretary  to  keep  a  cor- 
rect record  of  the  society,  and  conduct  its  correspondence. 
He  shall  be  the  custodian  of  all  its  legal  papers.  He  shall 
promote  the  dissemination  of  missionary  information 
throughout  the  Church  by  tracts,  books,  and  other  publica- 
tions ;  through  conventions,  rallies,  and  institutes  he  shall 
endeavor  to  create  a  missionary  atmosphere ;  direct  the 
organization  of  mission  study  classes  ;  introduce  missionary 
instruction  in  the  Sabbath  school ;  assist  the  Sabbath-school 
superintendent ;  the  president  of  the  Young  People's  Society, 
and  the  pastor  to  introduce  a  regular  system  of  giving  to 
missions. 

He  shall  diligently  study  the  administrative  problem  of 
the  work  abroad,  so  as  to  employ  such  agencies  as  shall  lead 
to  the  speedy  development  of  a  strong,  native  Church. 

The  general  secretary  shall  prepare  and  publish  an  annual 
report  of  the  work  of  the  society,  and  a  quadrennial  report 
to  the  General  Conference.  He  shall  exercise  diligence  to 
discover  and  encourage  those  whom  the  Holy  Spirit  has 
called  to  foreign  missionary  work,  and  shall  bring  them  to 
the  attention  of  the  society  and  the  executive  committee  for 
appointment.     He  shall  call  meetings  of  the  executive  com- 


THE  FOREIGN    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY  133 

mittee  to  transact  business.     His  salary  shall  be  determined 
by  the  General  Conference. 

Article  X. 

THE    TREASURER    AND    HIS    DUTIES. 

The  General  Church  Treasurer,  elected  by  the  General 
Conference,  shall  hold  all  funds  of  the  society  subject  to  the 
order  of  the  board  or  executive  committee.  His  salary  shall 
be  fixed  by  the  General  Conference  and  the  proportion  of 
same  to  be  paid  by  this  board  shall  be  determined  by  the 
executive  committee,  in  conjunction  with  the  other  boards 
having  his  services ;  he  shall  make  an  annual  report  to  cite 
I  oard,  and  a  quadrennial  report  to  the  General  Conference. 

Article  XI. 

THE   RELATION   OF   THE    MINISTRY    TO    FOREIGN    MISSIONS. 

1.  E^'ery  pastor  in  charge  of  a  field  of  labor  shall  seek  to 
organize  and  train  the  membership  of  his  charge  to  become 
an  efficient  force  in  the  world-wide  extension  of  the  gospel 
by  the  organization  of  foreign  mission  study  classes,  the  in- 
troduction of  mission  training  in  the  Sunday  school,  and  the 
promotion  of  the  laymen's  missionary  movement.  He  shall 
strive  earnestly  to  get  every  member  of  the  Church  to  give 
systematically  to  foreign  missions,  according  to  the  plan 
for  benevolence  offerings  adopted  for  the  Church. 

2.  The  bishops  of  the  Church  and  the  conference  superin- 
tendents shall  promote  foreign  missions  by  sermons  and 
addresses  and  by  careful  inquiry  concerning  the  work  being 
done  on  the  various  charges  for  this  cause,  and  they  shall 
seek  to  develop  the  missionary  spirit  by  aiding  in  missionary 
institutes  and  in  the  wide-spread  study  of  foreign  missions. 

Article  XII. 

ANNUAL    CONFERENCE    TREASURER. 

Every  annual  conference  shall  elect  a  treasurer  of  benev- 
olences who  shall  report  quarterly  the  amount  received  for 
foreign  missions  to  the  General  Church  Treasurer  at  Day- 
ton, Ohio,  who  shall  make  record  thereof  and  receipt  for  the 
same. 

Article  XIII. 

MISSIONS  IN  THE  SUNDAY  SCHOOL. 
Every   Sunday  school,  in  its  auxiliary  relationship  to  the 
Home    Missionary     Society     and    the     Foreign     Missionary 
Society   of   our   Cluirch,   is   expected   to   observa  a   monthly 


134  DISCIPLINE 

missionary  day,  on  which,  a  brief  missionary  exercise  shall 
be  rendered  and  a  missionary  offering  taken.  In  places 
v/here  a  monthly  missionary  day  seems  impracticable,  every 
school  shall  be  required  to  observe  such  a  missionary  day 
once  a  quarter. 

The  first  and  third  quarters  of  the  calendar  year  shall  be 
devoted  to  the  study  of  foreign  missions ;  the  second  and 
L'f^iirlh  quarters  to  the  study  of  home  missioiA-^,  the  ollerings 
during  these  periods  to  go  to  the  benevolence  budget. 

Article  XIT. 

A  FOREIGN    MISSION    DISTRICT. 

A  foreign  mission  district  shall  consist  of  th.^  missionaries 
ujider  the  direction  of  the  Foreign  Missionary  So(  ie'.y,  hold- 
ing proper  credentials ;  and  such  native  workers  as  are  asso- 
cia'aM  with  them,  located  in  a  specified  field  mid  oi'jianizod 
to  do  mission  work.  Said  mission  district  shall  hold  annual 
sessions,  to  be  presided  over  by  a  bishop  or  the  mission 
superintendent,  and  in  the  absence  of  both,  the  said  district 
shall  elect  its  own  chairman.  At  its  annual  meeting  the 
fields  of  labor  shall  be  fixed ;  the  character  of  its  members 
examined ;  preachers  received,  and  passed  in  their  course 
of  reading,  and  le  ordained. 

Article  XV. 

A   FOREIGN    MISSION    CONFERENCE. 

A  foreign  mission  district  may  be  constituted  a  foreign 
mission  conference  by  the  General  Conference,  or  in  the 
interim,  by  the  Board  of  Bishops,  upon  the  recommendation 
of  the  Mission  Board. 

All  foreign  missionaries,  bearing  proper  credentials  from 
the  Mission  Board,  ordained  native  ministers,  licentiates,  and 
one  lay  delegate  from  each  charge,  developing  self-support 
according  to  the  system  adopted  by  the  conference,  may  be 
members  of  the  foreign  mission  conference. 

Other  workers  employed  may  become  advisory  members, 
upon  approval  of  the  conference.  Said  foreign  mission  con- 
ference shall  be  presided  over  by  a  bishop  or  in  his  absence 
by  the  mission  superintendent.  In  the  absence  of  both  the 
bishop  and  the  mission  superintendent,  the  conference  shall 
elect  its*own  chairman. 

The  presiding  officer  shall  appoint  a  stationing  committee, 
of  which  he  shall  be  chairman,  and  he  shall  likewise  appoint 
ail  siandiug  committees. 


THE  FOREIGN    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY  135 

Article  XVI.      . 

SUPERINTENDENCY. 

When  a  Foreign  Mission  District  or  a  Foreign  Mission 
Conference  has  been  organized,  the  Mission  Board  shall  ap- 
point a  Mission  Superintendent  over  the  same  for  one  term, 
subject  to  re-appointment,  or  his  tenure  of  office  may  be 
terminated  at  any  time  at  the  discretion  of  the  Board. 

A  bishop  elected  by  the  General  Conference  as  a  General 
Superintendent  over  our  Foreign  Mission  Conference  shall 
preside,  when  possible,  at  the  annual  session  of  each  For- 
eign Mission  Conference,  He  shall  give  close  attention  to 
the  large  problems  of  each  field  and,  by  counselling  with  the 
missionaries  and  native  workers,  seek  to  establish  native 
churches  and  institutions  filled  with  a  passion  for  evan- 
gelism, strong  in  self-support  and  able  ultimately  to  extend 
and  direct  their  own  work  without  aid  from  other  lands. 

The  bishop  assigned  to  the  foreign  fields  shall  work  in 
co-operation  ^yith  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society  and  with 
the  Mission  Council  on  the  field  and  seek  to  interpret  the 
needs  and  viewpoint  of  each  to  the  other. 

The  Mission  Superintendent  of  each  field,  in  co-operation 
with  the  board  and  the  bishop  of  the  district,  shall  arrange 
the  work  and  take  supervision  of  the  conference.  He  shall 
report  quarterly  the  condition  and  needs  of  the  field  to  the 
General  Secretary  of  the  Mission  and  to  the  bishop  of  the 
district. 

The  bishop  of  the  district,  and  each  mission  superinten- 
dent shall  submit  an  annual  report  to  the  Foreign  Mission 
Board. 

Article  XVII. 

All  missionaries  employed  by  the  board  shall  be  furnished 
with  credentials  of  their  appointment,  and  be  subject  to 
the  boards  in  regard  to  their  term  of  service,  salary,  and 
the  time  and  length  of  furlough.  They  shall  report  quar- 
terly the  condition  and  progress  of  their  work  to  the  mission 
superintendent ;  and  they  shall  also  make  an  annual  report 
to  the  general  secretary  of  the  Mission  Board,  a  copy  of 
which  shall  be  filed  with  the  superintendent. 

Article  XVIII. 

THE    MISSION    COUNCIL. 

There  shall  be  a  mission  council  in  each  foreign  mission 
district  or  conference,   comiDosed   of  all   foreign  missionaries 


136  DISCIPLINE 

employed  by  the  board  in  such  district  or  conference.  Said 
council  shall  be  the  cabinet  of  the  mission  superintendent, 
provided,  however,  that  in  matters  of  difference  between  the 
superintendent  and  the  cabinet,  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  said 
mission  council  shall  determine  the  course  to  be  pursued, 
except  in  matters  of  interpretation  of  the  policy  of  the 
board.  Missionaries  shall  be  eligible  to  voting  privileges  in 
the  council  only  after  one  year's  residence  in  the  mission 
field.  The  mission  superintendent  shall  be  chairman  of  the 
mission  council,  and  also  treasurer  of  the  mission  funds, 
unless  other  provision  is  made  by  the  board. 

The  mission  council  shall  convene  once  a  year,  and  oftener 
if  practicable,  and  receive  reports  of  missionaries  in  charge 
of  districts,  stations  or  departments  of  work.  It  shall  co- 
operate with  the  mission  superintendent  in  the  general 
supervision  of  the  work,  by  committee  or  otherwise,  espe- 
cially with  reference  to  the  division  of  the  missionaries" 
work,  the  budget,  and  the  administration  of  the  mission 
funds. 

Article  XIX. 

DELEGATES    TO    GENERAL    CONFERENCE. 

The  number  of  delegates  from  Foreign  Mission  Con- 
ferences to  the  General  Conference,  not  in  excess  of  the 
ratio  to  annual  conferences  in  America,  and  the  manner  of 
their  election  shall  be  determined  by  the  Foreign  Mission 
Board,  which  board  shall  pay  the  expenses  of  the  delegates. 

Article   XX. 

THE  POWERS  AND  DUTIES  OF  A  FOREIGN  MISSION  CONFERENCE. 

A  foreign  mission  conference  shall  have  power  similar  to 
an  annual  conference,  subject  to  regulations  of  the  Mission 
Board.  It  shall  revise,  year  by  year,  the  list  of  itinerants, 
except  those  who  hold  membership  in  American  conferences, 
and  report  the  same  to  the  Agent  of  the  Publishing  House, 
and  compile  other  statistics  of  its  work,  as  nearly  as  possible 
in  harmony  with  the  Church  in  general,  having  in  mind  the 
requirements  of  general  missionary  reports. 

Article  XXI. 

COURSE    OF    MINISTERIAL    STUDY    AND    RULES. 

A  mission  conference  employing  other  than  the  English 
<>r  German  languages  shall  have  power  to  make  its  own 
course    of    ministerial    study,    as    nearly    as    practicable    an 


THE  FOREIGN   MISSIONARY   SOCIETY  137 

equivalent  of  the  English  course.  General  efficiency  and 
practical  experience,  as  well  as  moral  fitness,  shall  be  con- 
sidered in  recommending  candidates  for  ordination.  It  may 
tnact  necessary  rules  for  its  own  government  in  harmony 
with  the  Book  of  Discipline,  and  the  regulations  of  the 
Mission  Board. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 
WoMANS'  Missionary  Association. 

CONSTITUTION. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  association  shall  be  known  as  "The  Woman's  Mis- 
sionary Association  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ"  according  to  its  articles  of  incorporation  under 
the  laws  of  the  State  of  Ohio.  Its  general  offices  shall  be 
located  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

This  association  is  for  the  purpose  of  enlisting  and  unit- 
ing the  efforts  of  the  women,  the  young  women,  and  the 
children  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  to 
help  send  and  support  missionaries  in  the  home  and  foreign 
fields ;  to  assist  in  carrying  forward  the  work  in  said  fields ; 
and  to  secure  by  gift,  bequest,  and  otherwise,  the  funds 
necessary  to  aid  such  missionary  operations. 

It  shall  disseminate  literature  and  information  concerning 
the  needs  of  the  mission  fields  where  operating,  and  conduct 
any  and  all  other  work  that  usually  belongs  to  such  an  or- 
ganization. 

It  shall  be  empowered  by  its  articles  of  incorporation  to 
receive  by  gift,  bequest  or  purchase,  real  and  personal  prop- 
erty, and  hold  the  same  for  the  uses  and  purposes  of  said 
association,  the  same  as  any  other  corporations  of  like  char- 
acter. 

Article  III. 

RELATION    TO    THE    CHURCH. 

This  association  shall  work  under  the  direction  of  the 
General  Conference  of  said  Church,  to  which  the  General 
Secretary  shall  submit  quadrennial  reports.  It  shall  also 
yvork  in  co-operation  with  the  Home  Missionary  Society 
and  the  Foreign   Missionary   Society   of  the  Church   of  the 

138 


woman's  missionary  society  139 

United  Brethren  in  Christ,  upon  whose  boards  and  execu- 
tive committees   it  shall  have  one-third  representation. 

Article  IV. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

1.  The  annual  dues  for  membership  in  said  association 
shall  be  one  dollar. 

2.  The  payment  of  $10  at  one  time  ,or  bj'  instalimeits 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  Life  Membership. 

The  payment  of  $25  at  one  time,  or  by  installments  with- 
in  five  3'ears   shall  constitute   a   Life   Directorship. 

The  payment  of  $100  at  one  time  or  by  installments  with- 
in five  years  shall  constitute  a  Life  Patronship. 

A  certificate  is  given  at  the  time  of  payment  in  full,  but 
this  certificate  does  not  exempt  from  annual  dues. 

3.  Life  Patrons  shall  be  full  members  of  the  Board  of 
Managers,  Life  Directors  shall  be  advisory  members  of  the 
same.  Life  Patrons  and  Life  Directors  shall  be  full  mem- 
bers, and  Life  Members  shall  be  advisory  members  of  the 
Bi'anch  within  whose  bounds  they  reside.  These  privileges 
are  accorded  only  to  those  who  pay  annual  dues. 

Article  V. 

ORGANIZATION. 

This  organization  shall  consist  of  a  Board  of  Managers, 
Conference  Branches,  Locals,  and  Chapters  of  the  Otterbein 
Guild. 

Article  VI. 

BOARD   OF  MANAGERS. 

The  Board  of  Managers  shall  consist  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  the  Life  Patrons,  the  Department  ■  Secretary  of 
the  Otterbein  Guild,  the  Department  Secretary  of  Litera- 
ture, the  Presidents  of  the  Conference  Branches,  and  three 
delegates  from  each  Branch,  who  shall  be  elected  at  the 
Branch  meeting  preceding  the  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Man- 
agers. 

Article  VII. 

DUTIES    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    MANAGERS. 

The  Board  of  Managers  shall  meet  biennially.  It  shall 
receive  and  pass  upon  the  reports  of  the  General  Secretary, 
Treasurer,    Department    Secretaries,    Editor    and    Publisher 


140  DlSCIPLIxNE 

of  the  Woman's  Evangel,  Branch  Organizations  and  the 
reports  from  the  mission  fields.  It  shall  elect  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  the  Department  Secretary  of  the  Otterbein  Guild, 
and  the  Department  of  Literature. 

Article  VIII. 
The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  consist  of  nine  members  who 
shall   be   elected   by   ballot  at   the   biennial   meeting   of    thp 
Board  of  Managers,  six  of  whom  shall  be  residents  of  Day- 
ton,  Ohio,  or  vicinity. 

Article  IX. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  so  elected  shall  assemble  before 
the  close  of  the  biennial  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers 
and  organize  by  the  election  from  its  own  members  of  all 
the  oflBcers  provided  for  in  Article  X. 

It  shall  choose  from  its  number  the  necessary  representa- 
tion upon  the  boards  and  executive  committees  of  the 
Home  and  the   Foreign   Missionary   Societies. 

In  the  interim  between  the  meetings  of  the  Board  of 
Managers  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  have  full  powder  and 
control  of  the  general  interests  and  administration  of  the 
affairs  of  the  Association  including  the  making  of  appropria- 
tions. 

All  legal  papers  of  the  Association  shall  be  executed  by 
the  President  and  General  Secretary  of  the  Association, 
providing  the  President  lives  in  Dayton  or  vicinity,  other- 
Avise  by  the  resident  Vice-President  and  the  General  Sec- 
retary who  shall  sign  and  seal  all  such  papers  including 
deeds  of  transfer,  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  Association. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  have  the  authority  to  ap- 
point and  empower  one  or  tw^o  persons  to  act  for  the  Asso- 
ciation with  i)ower  of  Attorney  when  occasion  may  arise  to 
demand  such  action. 

Article  X. 

OFFICERS. 

The  officers  of  the  Association  shall  be  a  President,  three 
Vice-Presidents,  a  General  Secretary,  a  Recording  Secretary, 
a  Treasurer,  and  a  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  as 
provided  for  in  Article  IX.  The  offices  of  General  Secretary 
and  Treasurer  may  be  held  by  one  person. 


woman's  missionary  society  ]41 

Article  XI. 

DUTIES    of   officers. 

1.  The  President  shall  preside  at  the  biennial  meeting  of 
the  Board  of  Managers  and  shall  have  general  supervision 
of  the  v^ork  of  the  Association. 

-  2.  The  Vice-President  shall  co-operate  with  the  Presi- 
dent in  carrjing  forward  the  work  of  the  Association.  They 
shall  preside  in  the  absence  of  the  President  or  upon  request. 

3.  The  General  Secretary  shall,  under  the  supervision  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  attend  to  all  the  business  connected 
with  the  Association,  secure  gifts  and  bequests,  keep  all 
documents  pertaining  to  the  Association  and  attend  to  all 
correspondence. 

She  shall  submit  an  annual  report  to  the  Association 
through  the  Woman's  Evangel,  an  annual  report  to  the 
Home  and  the  Foreign  Missionary  Societies,  a  biennial 
report  to  the  Board  of  Managers,  and  a  quadrennial  report 
to  the  General  Conference.  She  shall  have  the  power  to 
call   meetings  of   the  Board   of  Trustees. 

4.  The  Recording  Secretary  shall  keep  the  minutes  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  biennial  meetings  of  the  Board  ot 
Managers,  and  of  all  the  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 
She  shall  submit  an  annual  report  to  the  Association 
through  the  Woman's  Evangel  and  a  biennial  report  to  the 
Board  of  Managers. 

5.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  coming  into  the 
Woman's  Missionary  Association  and  transmit  the  same  to 
the  General  Church  Treasurer,  by  whom  they  are  to  be 
disbursed  for  work  in  the  home  and  the  foreign  fields,  ou 
order  of  the  executive  committees  of  the  Home  and  the 
Foreign  Missionary   Societies. 

The  administration  expenses  of  the  Association  shall  be 
under  the  control  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  ;  said  expenses 
to  be  paid  by  the  General  Church  Treasurer  on  order  of  the 
Treasurer  of  the  Woman's  Missionary    A.ssociation. 

The  Treasurer  shall  submit  quarterly  reports,  also  an 
annual  report  to  the  Association  through  the  Woman's 
Evangel,  an  annual  report  to  the  Home  and  the  Foreign 
Missionary  Societies  and  a  biennial  report  to  the  Board  of 
Managers.     Her  accounts  shall  be  audited  annually. 

She  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  Woman's  Evangel  and 
transmit  the  same  to  the  General  Church  Treasurer.  Tlie 
expenses  of  the  Woman's  Evangel  shall  be  paid  by  him  on 


142  DISCIPLINE 

order  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Asso- 
ciation. 

She  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  Literature  Department 
and  disburse  the  same  on  order  of  the  General  Literature 
Committee. 

6.  The  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  preside 
at  all  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

Article  XII. 

FUNDS. 

All  gifts,  bequests,  and  funds  contributed  to  any  special 
object  of  the  Association  shall  be  held  sacred  to  the  uses 
and  purposes  intended  by  the  donor. 

Article  XIII. 

DEPARTMENT    OF    THE    OTTERBEIN    GUILD. 

1.  The  object  of  this  department  shall  be  to  enlist  the 
young  women  in  the  cause  of  missions,  to  lead  them  to 
personal  consecration,  to  disseminate  missionary  knowledge, 
and  to  raise  funds  to  be  applied  to  any  work  undertaken 
by  this  department,  under  the  supervision  of  the  Woman's 
Missionary   Association. 

2.  The  head  of  this  department  shall  be  a  Secretary,  who 
shall  be  elected  by  the  Board  of  Managers. 

3  The  Secretary  shall  send  out  plans  and  suggestions  to 
Branch  Secretaries  of  the  Otterbein  Guild,  aid  in  developing 
the  work  in  the  Branches,  and  conduct  the  Department  of 
the  Otterbein  Guild  in  the  Woman's  Evangel,  subject  to  the 
approval  of  the  Editor.  She  shall  make  quarterly  reports, 
also  an  annual  report  to  the  General  Secretary.  She  shall 
make  an  annual  report  to  the  Association  through  the 
Woman's  Evangel  and  a  biennial  report  to  the  Board  of 
Managers. 

Article  XIV. 

DEPARTMENT    OF    LITERATURE. 

1.  The  Woman's  Evangel  shall  be  the  official  organ  of 
the  Woman's  Missionary  Association.  Its  editor  shall  be 
elected  by  the  Board  of  Ti'ustees. 

2.  Tlie  object  of  this  department  shall  be  to  awaken  and 
to  inform  the  women,  the  young  women,  and  the  childreii 
of  the  Church  on  the  subject  of  missions,  to  increase  the 
circulation  of   the  Woman's  Evangel  and  to  encourage  the 


I 


woman's  missionary  society  143 

use   of  missionary   literature,   missionary   leaflets,    books   of 
the  Mission   Study  Course,  and  Thankoffering  boxes. 

3.  The  head  of  this  department  shall  be  a  General  Liter- 
ature Committee,  composed  of  three  members,  the  Editor  of 
the  Woman's  Evangel,  the  Department  Secretary,  and  a 
third  member  elected  by  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

The  Department  Secretary  shall  be  elected  by  the  Board 
of  Managers  and  shall  serve  as  the  Secretary  of  tlie  Com- 
mittee. 

4.  The  officers  of  this  department  shall  consist  of  the 
members  of  the  General  Literature  Committee,  the  Branch 
Secretaries  of  Literature,  the  Literature  Secretaries  in  Lo- 
cals and  in  Chapters  of  the  Otterbein  Guild. 

5.  The  General  Literature  Committee  shall  plan  the 
work  of  the  Department  and  provide  all  literature  and 
helps  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Association  except  the 
Woman's  Evangel. 

().  Through  the  Department  Secretary  this  committee 
shall  send  out  plans  and  suggestions  to  Branch  Secretaries 
of  Literature,  assist  in  developing  the  work  in  the  Branches, 
submit  quarterly  reports  to  the  Editor  of  the  Woman's 
Evangel  for  publication,  an  annual  report  to  the  Association 
through  the  Woman's  Evangel  and  a  biennial  report  to  the 
Board  of  Managers. 

7.  All  money  received  from  the  sale  of  literature  shall 
be  retained  by  the  General  Literature  Committee  for  the 
maintenance  of  the  work. 

DEPARTMENT   OF   CHILDREN'S    WORK. 

The  object  of  this  department  shall  be  to  educate  the 
children  in  missionary  work,  in  definite  prayer,  and  system- 
atic giving  for  missions. 

This  work  shall  be  done  through  the  Junior  Christian 
Endeavor  Society  in  harmony  with  the  following  sections 
from   the  Junior  constitution : 

1.  "Monthly  missionary  meetings  shall  be  held  at  which 
time  missionary  offerings  may  be  taken." 

2.  "The  Junior  Christian  Endeavor  Society  in  its  mis- 
sionary activities  is  asked  to  co-operate  with  the  Woman's 
INIissionary  Association  which  in  turn,  may  assist  the  Junior 
Superintendent  in  cultivating  a  missionary  interest  among 
the  Juniors  by  suggesting  missionary  literature  and  infor- 
mation." 


144  DISCIPLINE 

3.  "The  missionary  funds  raised  by  the  Junior  Christian 
Endeavor  societies  for  missionary  purposes  other  tlian  con- 
ference missionary  objects  shall  be  sent  by  the  Branch 
Christian  Endeavor  treasurer  40  the  treasurer  of  the  AVom- 
an's  Missionary  Association  at  Dayton.  Ohio." 

.   Branch  Constitution. 
Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  Branch  shall  be  called  the  Branch  of 

the  Woman's  Missionary  Association  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

The  object  of  the  Branch  shall  be  to  enlist  the  women, 
the   young  women,   and  the   children   within   the   bounds   of 

Conference  in  the  cause  of  missions,  to  lead 

them  to  personal  consecration,  to  disseminate  missionary 
knowledge,  and  to  raise  funds  to  help  carry  forward  the 
home  and  the  foreign  work  of  the  Woman's  Missionary 
Association. 

»  '        Article  III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

The  membership  of  this  Branch  shall  consist  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Association  living  within  the  limits  of  the  con- 
ference. 

Article  IV. 

OFFICERS. 

The  oflBcers  of  the  Branch  shall  be  a  President,  two  Vice- 
Presidents,  a  Secretary,  a  Treasurer,  a  Secretary  of  the 
Otterbein  Guild,  and  a  Secretary  of  Literature.  The  officers 
shall  be  elected  by  ballot  at  the  annual  meeting. 

Article  V. 

EXECUTIVE    COMIVUTTEE. 

The  officers  of  the  Branch,  together  with  the  Branch 
Superintendent  of  Junior  Christian  Endeavor  shall  consti- 
tute the  Executive  Committee.  The  organizers  shall  be 
advisory  members.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  meet 
after  the  Branch  meeting  and  outline  definite  plans  for  the 


woman's  missionary  society  145 

year.  It  shall  supervise  and  develop  the  work  within  the 
bounds  of  the  conference ;  it  shall  seek  to  secure  the  organi- 
zation of  Locals  and  Chapters  of  the  Otterbein  Guild  in  each 
church  and  to  strengthen  those  already  existing. 

Article  VI. 

DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS. 

1.  The  President  shall  preside  at  the  annual  meeting-  and 
have  general  supervision  of  all  the  work  of  the  Branch. 
She  shall  endeavor  to  have  all  the  plans  adopted  by  the 
Branch  or  Executive  Committee  carried  into  effect. 

2.  The  Vice-Presidents  shall  co-operate  Avith  and  aid  thfe 
President  in  every  possible  way  to  carry  out  the  plans  of 
the  Branch.  They  shall  superintend  the  districts  into  which 
the  Branch  may  be  divided,  and  assist  in  developing  and 
strengthening  the  work.  They  shall  preside  in  the  absence 
of  the  President  or  upon  request. 

3.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  annual  meeting  and  of  the  Executive  Committee  meet- 
ings. She  shall  submit  quarterly  reports,  also  an  annual 
report  to  the  General  Secretary.  The  quarterly  reports 
shall  reach  the  General  Secretary  not  later  than  .June  29, 
September  29,  December  29,  March  29,  also  the  annual 
report  not  later  than  March  29.  She  shall  announce  all 
the  Branch  and  Executive  Committee  meetings  and  present 
an  annual  report  to  the  Branch  meeting. 

4.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  Branch 
and  transmit  the  same  except  the  Branch  Contingent,  to  the 
General  Treasurer.  She  shall  submit  quarterly  reports,  also 
an  annual  report  to  the  General  Treasurer.  The  quarterly 
reports  shall  reach  the  General  Treasurer  n'>t  later  than 
June  29,  September  29,  December  29.  March  29,  also  the 
annual  report  not  later  than  March  29,  when  the  books  of 
the  General  Treasurer  close.  She  shall  pay  bills  of  the 
Branch  only  upon  vouchers  properly  certified  by  the  Pres- 
ident and  Secretary.     Her  books  shall  be  audited  annually. 

5.  The  Secretary  of  the  Otterbein  Guild  shall  in  harmony 
with  the  Department  Secretary,  endeavor  to  interest  the 
young  women  in  each  local  church  in  the  Branch  in  mis- 
sions, and  whenever  possible,  organize  a  Chapter.  She  shall 
submit  quarterly  reports,  also  an  annual  report  to  the  De- 
partment Secretary.  The  quarterly  reports  shall  reach  the 
Department  Secretary  not  later  than  June  29,  September 
29,  December  29,  and  March  29,  also  the  annual  report  not 


"I  ki  DISCIPLIN  B 

later  than  March  29.  She  shall  present  an  annual  report 
to  the  Branch  meeting. 

6.  The  Secretary  of  Literature  shall  during  the  year 
select  and  recommend  missionary  literature  to  the  local 
secretaries  of  literature,  and  for  the  sales  table  at  the 
Branch  meeting. 

She  shall  endeavor  to  secure  a  wider  reading  of  the  mis- 
sionary literature,  especially  of  the  Woman".?  Evangel  and 
missionary  leaflets.  She  shall  encourage  the  use  of  the 
books  of  the  Mission  Study  Course,  and  offering  boxes.  She 
shall  submit  quarterly  reports,  also  an  annual  report  to 
the  Department  Secretary.  The  quarterly  reports  shall 
reach  the  Department  Secretary  not  later  than  June  29, 
September  29,  December  29,  and  March  29,  also  the  annual 
report  not  later  than  March  29.  She  shall  present  an  annual 
report  to   the   Branch   meeting. 

Article  VIL, 

MEETINGS. 

The  Branch  shall  meet  annually  and  shall  consist  of  the 
Branch  officers,  three  delegates  from  each  local,  two  dele- 
gates from  each  Chapter  of  the  Otterbein  Guild,  the  Life 
Patrons,  and  Life  Directors  residing  within  the  Branch. 
Life  Members  shall  be  advisory  members. 

It  shall  receive  and  pass  upon  reports.  It  shall  transact 
any  business  pertaining  to  its  work,  elect  officers  and  threfe 
delegates  to  the  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers,  one  of 
whom  should  be  a  representative  of  the  Otterbein  Guild. 

Article  VIII. 
The  expenses  of  the  Branch  officers  to  the  executive  com- 
mittee meetings,  its  delegates  to  the  biennial  meeting  of  the 
Board  of  Managers  and  all  other  expenses  of  the  Branch 
shall  be  provided  for  by  a  contingent  fund  derived  from 
the  societies  within  the  Branch. 

LOCAL     CONSTITUTION. 

Article  I. 

This    society    shall    be    called    the —    I^o*  al, 

Branch  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Associa- 


tion of  the  Cliurch  of  the  United  Brethren  in   Christ. 


woman's  missionary  society  147 

Article  II. 
object. 
The   object  of  this   society   shall   be  to  enlist  the  women 

of   the  Church   in   the   cause   of  mission;^,    to 

lead  them  to  personal  consecration,  to  disseminate  mission- 
ary knowledge,  and  to  raise  funds  to  help  carry  forward 
the  home  and  the  foreign  work  of  the  Woman's  Missionary 
Association. 

Article  III. 
membership. 

1.  Any  woman  may  become  a  member  by  the  annual  pay- 
ment of  $1.00  dues  which  shall  be  placed  in  the  General 
Fund. 

2.  Any  child  may  become  a  member  by  the  payment  of 
•  per  year. 

3.  Any  man  may  become  an  associate  member  by  the 
payment  of  regular  dues. 

4.  The  paj'^ment  of  $10  at  one  time,  oj  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  Life  Membership. 

The  payment  of  $25  at  one  time,  or  by  iustaliments  with- 
in five  years,  shall  constitute  a  Life  Directorship. 

The  payment  of  $100  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,  shall  constitute  a  Life  Patronship. 

A  certificate  is  given  at  the  time  of  payment  in  full,  but 
this  certificate  does  not  exempt  from  annual  dues. 

5.  Life  Patrons  shall  be  full  members  of  the  Board  ot 
Managers ;  Life  Directors  shall  be  advisory  members  of  the 
same.  Life  Patrons  and  Life  Directors  shall  be  full  mem- 
bers, and  Life  Members  shall  be  advisory  members  of  the 
Branch  within  whose  boucds  they  reside.  These  privi- 
leges are  accorded  only  to  those  who  pay  annual  dues. 

Article  IV. 

officers. 

The  officers  of  the  Local  shall  consist  of  a  President,  two 

Vice-Presidents,    a   Secretary,    a   Treasurer,   a   Secretary   of 

Literature  and  two  or  more  collectors  who  shall  be  elected 

by  ballot  at  the  annual  meeting  in  March. 

Article  V. 
executive  committee. 
The  officers  of  the  society  shall  constitute  the   Executive 
Committee  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  supervise  and  plan  the 


148  Discrprixj:: 

work  of  the  society.  They  shall  endeavor  to  interest  and 
enlist  every  woman  in  the  church  in  the  work.  The  Presi- 
dent shall  be  the  Chairman  of  the  committee. 

Article  VI. 

DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS. 

1.  The  President  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the 
society  and  supervise  its  general  interests.  She  shall  be 
ex  officio  a  member  of  all  standing  committees  of  the  society 
and  present  in  writing  a  report  of  the  work  to  each  quar- 
terly conference. 

2.  The  Vice-Presidents  shall  co-operate  with  and  aid  the 
President  in  every  possible  way  to  carry  out  the  plans  of 
the  society.  They  shall  preside  in  the  absence  of  the  Pres- 
ident or  upon  request. 

3.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  proceedings 
of  each  meeting  and  the  meetings  of  the  Executive  Commit- 
tee. She  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  names  of  the  members, 
also  a  separate  record  of  the  names  of  the  Life  Members, 
Life  Directors  and  Life  Patrons.  She  shall  send  quarterly 
reports,  also  an  annual  report  to  the  Branch  Secretary.  The 
quarterly  reports  shall  reach  the  Branch  Secretary  not  later 
than  June  20,  September  20,  December  20,  March  20,  also 
the  annual  report  not  later  than  March  20,  She  shall  pre- 
sent a  report  in  writing  to  each  quarterly  business  meeting 
and  an  annual  report  to  the  society  at  the  business  meeting 
in  INIarch. 

4.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  society 
and  transmit  the  same,  except  the  Local  contingent,  to  the 
Branch  Treasurer.  She  shall  submit  quarterly  reports,  also 
an  annual  report  to  the  Branch  Treasurer.  The  quarterly 
reports  shall  reach  the  Branch  Treasurer  not  later  than 
June  20,  September  20,  December  20,  and  March  20,  also 
the  annual  report  not  later  than  March  20,  when  the  books 
of  the  Ti'easurer  close.  She  shall  present  quarterly  reports 
also  an  annual  report  to  the  society  at  the  business  meet- 
ing in  March.     Her  books  shall  be  audited  annually. 

5.  The  Secretary  of  Literature  shall  seek  to  create  and 
foster  an  interest  in  missions  by  means  of  Missionary  Lit- 
erature, pictures,  etc.  She  shall  select  and  purchase  mis- 
sionary literature  during  the  year,  secure  the  largest  num- 
ber of  subscriptions  possible  to  the  Woman's  Evangel,  and 
urge  the  use  of  the  Mission  Study  Course  and  Thankoffer- 
iug  boxes. 


woman's  missionary  society  141) 

She  shall  .send  quarterly  reports,  also  an  annual  report 
to  the  Branch  Secretary  of  Literature.  The  quarterly  re- 
ports shall  reach  the  Branch  Secretary  of  Literature  not 
later  than  June  20,  September  20.  December  20,  March  20, 
also  an  annual  report  not  later  than  March  20.  She  shall 
present  a  report  in  writing  to  each  quarterly  business  meet- 
ing and  an  annual  report  to  the  society  at  the  business 
meeting  in  March. 

G.  The  Collectors  shall  visit  the  women  of  the  church, 
solicit  members,  collect  quarterly  dues,  also  special  funds. 
They  shall  work  under  the  direction  of  the  Treasurer  and 
shall  pay  all  moneys  to  the  Treasurer  before  each  quarterly 
business  meeting.  They  shall  present  a  report  in  writing 
to  each  quarterly  business  meeting. 

Article  TIL 

MEETINGS. 

The  Local  shall  hold  meetings  once  a  month.  The  quar- 
tei'ly  business  meetings  shall  be  held  in  June,  September, 
December,  and  March,  at  which  time  the  reports  of  officers 
shall  be  heard  and  the  business  of  the  society  transacted. 

The  annual  meeting  shall  be  in  March,. at  which  time  the 
officers,  also  three  delegates  and  three  alternates  to  the 
Branch   meeting   shall   be  elected  by   ballot. 

Article  VIII. 

CONTINGENT    FUND. 

To  help  defray  Branch  expenses,  the  society  shall  pay  to 
the  Branch,  an  offering  equivalent  to  not  less  than  15  cents 
per  member.  This  amount  shall  be  paid  to  the  Branch 
Treasurer  quarterly. 

The  society  shall  provide  for  all  the  expenses  connected 
with  the  work  of  the  society  through  a  local  contingent  fund. 

Constitution. 

Chapter  of  Otterbein   Guild. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This   society    shall    be    called    the   Cliapter 

of  the  Otterbein  Guild  of Church,  

Branch    of    the    Woman's    Missionary    Association    of    the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 


I.IO  DlSCITLtiXE 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

The  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  enlist  young  women 
in  the  cause  of  missions,  to  lead  them  to  personal  consecra- 
tion, to  disseminate  missionary  knowledge,  and  to  raise 
funds  to  be  applied  to  any  work  undertaken  by  this  Depart- 
ment of  the  Woman's  Missionary  xissociation. 

Ai'ticle  III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

1.  Any  young  woman  may  become  a  member  by  the 
annual  payment  of  sixty  cents  ($.60)  dues,  which  shall  be 
placed  in  the  General  Fund. 

2.  Any  young  man  may  become  an  associate  member  by 
the    payment    of    regular    dues. 

3.  All  members  are  invited  to  sign  the  covenant. 

4.  The  payment  of  $10  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within  five  years,   shall  constitute  'k   Life   Membership. 

The  payment  of  $25  at  one  time,  or  by  installments  with- 
in five  years,  shall  constitute  a  Life  Directorship. 

The  payment  of  $100  at  one  time,  or  by  installments 
within   five  years,    shall   constitute   a    Life    Patronship. 

A  certificate  is  given  at  the  time  of  payment  in  full,  but 
this  certificate  does  not  exempt  from  annual  dues. 

5.  Life  Patrons  shall  be  full  members  of  the  Board  of 
Managers,  Life  Directors  shall  be  advisory  members  of  the 
same.  Life  Patrons  and  Life  Directors  shall  be  fuii  mem- 
bers, and  Life  Members  shall  be  advisory  members  of  the 
Branch  within  which  they  reside.  These  privileges  are 
accorded  only  to  those  who  pay  annual  dues. 

Article  IV. 

OFFICERS. 

The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  President,  two  Vice- 
Presidents.,  a  Secretary,  a  Treasurer,  a  Secretary  of  Liter- 
ature, and  two  or  more  collectors,  who  shall  be  elected  by 
ballot  at  the  annual  meeting  in  March, 

Article  V. 
A    Patroness    shall    be    elected    by    ballot    at    the    annual 
meeting.      She    shall    be    a    member    of    the    local    Woman's 
Missionary  Society  and  shall  be  an  advisory  member  of  the 
Executive  Committee  of  the  Chapter. 


woman's  missionary  society  151 

Article  VI. 
executive  committee. 
The  officers  of  the  Chapter  including  the  PaUoue.-Js  shall 
constitute  the  Executive  Committee  whose  duty  it  shall  be 
to  supervise  and  plan  the  work  of  the  Chapter.  They  shall 
endeavor  to  interest  and  enlist  all  the  girls  and  youns; 
women  in  the  church  in  the  work.  The  President  shall  be 
Chairman  of  this  committee. 

Article  VII. 
duties  of  officers. 

1.  The  President  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the 
Chapter  and  supervise  its  general  interests.  She  shall  be 
ex  officio  a  member  of  all  standing  committees  of  the  Chap- 
ter. She  shall  present  to  the  President  of  the  Local  a 
report  in  writing  each  quarter  which  shall  be  included  ii^ 
the  report  of  the  Local  to  the  quarterly  conference. 

2.  The  Vice-Presidents  shall  co-operate  with  and  aid  the 
President  in  every  possible  way  to  carry  out  the  plans  of 
the  Chapter.  They  shall  preside  in  the  absence  of  the 
President,  or  upon  request. 

3.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  proceedings 
of  each  meeting  and  the  meetings  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee. She  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  names  of  the  mem- 
bers, also  a  separate  record  of  the  names  of  Life  Members. 
Life  Directors,  Life  Patrons.  She  shall  send  quarterly 
reports,  also  an  annual  report  to  the  Branch  Secretary  of 
the  Otterbein  Guild.  These  quarterly  reports  shall  reacli 
the  Branch  Secretary  not  later  than  .June  20,  September 
20,  December  20,  March  20,  also  an  annval  report  not  later 
than  March  20.  She  shall  present  in  writing  a  report  to 
each  quarterly  business  meeting  and  an  annual  report  to 
the  Chapter  at  the  business  meeting  in  March. 

4.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  Chapter 
and  transmit  the  same,  except  the  Local  contingent,  to  the 
Branch  Treasurer.  She  shall  submit  quarterly  reports,  also 
an  annual  report  to  the  Branch  Treasurer.  The  quarterly 
reports  shall  reach  tho  Branch  Treasurer  not  later  than 
June  20,  September  20,  December  20,  March  20,  also  the 
annual  report  not  later  than  March  20,  when  the  books  of 
the  Branch  Treasurer  close.  She  shall  present  a  report 
in  writing  to  each  quartvniy  business  meeting  of  the  Chap- 


152  DISCIPLINE 

ter  and  an  annual  report  to  the  business  meeting  in  March. 
Her  books  shall  be  audited  annually, 

5.  The  Secretary  of  Literature  shall  seek  to  create  and 
foster  an  interest  in  missions  by  means  of  missionary  liter- 
ature, pictures,  etc.  She  shall  select  and  purchase  mission- 
ary literature  during  the  yrar ;  secure  the  largest  number 
of  subscriptions  possible  to  the  Woman's  Evangel  and  urge 
the  use  of  the  Bible  and  Mission  Study  Courses  and  Thank- 
offering  boxes. 

She  shall  send  quarterly  reports,  also  an  annual  report  to 
the  Branch  Secretary  of  Lfiterature.  The  quarterly  reports 
shall  reach  the  Branch  Secretary  of  Literature  not  later 
than  June  20,  September  20,  December  20,  March  20,  and 
the  annual  report  not  later  than  March  20.  She  shall  pre- 
sent a  report  in  writing  to  each  quarterly  business  meeting 
of  the  Chapter  and  an  annual  report  to  the  business  meet- 
ing in   March. 

6.  The  Collectors  shall  visit  the  girls  and  young  women 
of  the  church,  solicit  members,  collect  quarterly  dues,  also 
special  funds.  They  shall  work  under  the  direction  of  the 
Treasurer  and  shall  pay  all  moneys  to  the  Treasurer  before 
each  quarterly  business  meeting  of  the  Chapter. 

Article  VIII. 

MEETINGS. 

The  Chapter  shall  hold  regular  meetings  once  a  month. 
The  quarterly  business  meetings  shall  be  held  in  June,  Sep- 
tember, December  and  March,  at  which  time  the  reports  ot 
the  officers  shall  be  heard  and  the  business  of  the  society 
transacted. 

The  annual  meeting  shall  be  held  in  March,  at  which  time 
the  officers,  also  two  delegates  and  two  alternates  to  the 
Branch  meeting  shall  be  elected  by  ballot. 

Article  IX. 

CONTINGENT    FUND. 

To  help  defray  Branch  expenses,  the  Chapter  shall  pay 
to  the  Branch  an  offering  equivalent  to  not  less  than  ten 
cents  per  member.  This  amount  shall  be  paid  to  the 
Branch  Treasurer  quarterly. 

The  Chapter  shall  provide  for  all  expenses  connected 
with  the  work  of  the  Chapter,  through  a  Local  contingent 
fund. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Women's  Aid  Society. 

constitution, 

Article  I. 

OKGANIZATION. 

When  at  any  time  an  opportunity  presents  itself  for  the 
organization  of  a  sufficient  number  of  women  (who  are 
members  or  friends  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ)  into  a  society  for  mutual  aid  in  promoting  the 
spiritual,  social,  financial,  and  intellectual  interests  of  a 
congregation  or  charge,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  pastor 
or  the  conference  superintendent  of  the  district  to  call 
together  the  women  of  the  congregation  or  charge,  and,  after 
securing  the  names  of  all  present  wishing  to  become  mem- 
bers of  the  organization,  he  shall  proceed  to  organize,  by 
having .  elected  by  ballot  a  president,  vice-president,  secre- 
tary, and  treasurer,  whose  duties  shall  be  those  usually 
devolving  upon   such  officers. 

Article  II. 
name. 
This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the  "Women's   Aid 
Society  of  the  Church  of  the  United   Brethren  in   Christ," 
at  . 

Article  III. 

ANNUAL  ELECTION. 

The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  an- 
nually, at  its  last  meeting  preceding  the  session  of  the 
annual  conference,  and  the  officers  elect  shall  assume  the 
duties  of  their  offices  at  the  first  meeeting  succeeding  the 
session  of  the  annual  conference,  at  which  time  the  secretary 
shall  turn  over  to  the  secretary-elect  all  books  and  papers 
belonging  to  the  society,  and  the  treasurer  shall  make  settle- 
ment with  and  turn  over  to  the  treasurer-elect  all  funds 
belonging  to  the  society. 

Tlie  president  of  this  society,  when  a  member  of  the 
Church,  shall  be  a  member  of  the  quarterly  conference, 

153 


154  DISCIPLINE 

Article  IV. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Any  woman  of  good  standing,  friendly  to  the  work  of 
the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  may  become 
a  member  of  the  society. 

Article  V. 

MEETINGS. 

The  regular  meetings  of  the  society  shall  be  at  least  once 
each  month,  and  oftener  when  any  interest  demands  it. 

The  meetings  shall  always  open  and  close  with  devotional 
exercises,  and  the  deliberations  shall  be  conducted  according 
to  the  usages  of  the  Church. 

In  case  of  the  absence  of  the  president  and  vice-president, 
the  secretary  shall  call  the  meeting  to  order,  and  proceed 
to  the  election  of  a  president  pro  tern.,  whose  official  acts 
shall  be  valid. 

Article  VI. 

DUES. 

Each  member  of  the  society  shall  pay  into  the  treasury 
of  the  same  the  regular  monthly  dues  agreed  upon  by  the 
society,  and  in  case  a  member  shall  fail  to  pay  for  six  con- 
secutive months,  unless  unable  to  do  so,  her  name  may  be 
erased  from  the  roll  of  the  society. 

Article  VII. 

DISBURSEMENT    OF    FUNDS. 

All  moneys  collected  on  dues,  or  otherwise,  by  the  society, 
shall  be  used  for  the  benefit  of  the  congregation,  or  charge, 
or  for  any  benevolent  purpose,  as  the  society  may  direct. 

Article  VIII. 

CHRISTIAN    VISITATION. 

In  order  to  promote  the  work  of  Christianity  among  the 
families  under  our  influence,  the  members  of  the  society 
may  arrange,  so  as  to  have  all  such  families  visited  at 
least  once  a  month,  by  dividing  the  homes  to  be  visited  into 
districts  and  one  or  two  go  to  each  home,  look  after  the 
sick,  invite  persons  to  the  variovis  services  of  the  church, 
and  report  to  the  pastor  or  leader  all  persons  whose  interest 
demands  immediate  attention. 

This  is  not  to  be  substituted  for  the  leaders  nor  for  pas- 
toral visiting,  but  to  aid  them  in  their  work. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Church  Erection  Society. 

coxstitutiox. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  society  shall  be  known  as  the  ''Cliiirch  Erection 
Societj-  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ," 
located  in  Dayton.   Ohio. 

Article  II. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

All  members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  shall  be 
members  of  this  society  ;  further,  any  person  paying  $1,000 
at  one  time,  or  in  four  annual  payments  of  $250  each,  shall 
be  an  advisory  life  director.  The  secretary  shall  prepare 
and  furnish  to  such  advisory  life  directors  a  certificate  as 
evidence  of  such  directorship,  signed  by  the  president  and 
secretary. 

Article  III. 

OBJECT, 

The  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  assist  congregations 
in  locating  and  erecting  houses  of  worship  and  parsonages. 

Article  IV. 

OFFICERS. 

The  officers  of  this  society  shall  consist  of  nine  directors, 
four  of  whom  shall  be  laymen,  a  corresponding  secretary, 
and  the  General  Church  Treasurer,  who  shall  be  elected  by 
the  General  Conference.  The  bishops  shall  be  directors  of 
this  society  ex  oftido. 

These  officers  and  directors  shall  constitute  a  board  of 
managers,  who  shall  meet  immediately  on  adjournment  of 
the  General  Conference  on  the  call  of  the  corresponding  sec- 
retary, and  organize  by  electing  a  president  and  vice-presi- 
dent. 

The  corresponding  secretary  shall  be  the  recording  secre- 
tary of  the   board. 

15') 


156  DISCIPLINE 

Article  V. 

MEETINGS. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  board  of  managers  shall  be 
held  at  such  time  and  place  as  the  board  itself  may  decide. 
Other  meetings  may  be  held  at  such  time  and  place  as  may 
be  designated  by  the  president  and  corresponding  secretary. 
Five  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Article  VI. 

DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the 
board,  and  perform  all  duties  usual  to  the  office.  In  the 
absence  of  the  president,  the  vice-president  shall  preside. 

2.  The  corresponding  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  board,  conduct  its  correspondence, 
and  devote  himself  to  the  work  of  securing  funds  and  other- 
wise attending  to  the  interests  of  the  society  as  the  board 
may  direct.  He  shall  submit  an  annual  report  to  the 
board  of  managers  and  a  quadrennial  report  to  the  General 
Conference.  The  salary  of  such  secretary  shall  be  fixed  by 
the   General   Conference. 

3.  The  treasurer  shall  hold  the  funds  of  the  society 
subject  to  the  order  of  the  board. 

4.  The  board  of  managers  shall  hold  annual  meetings, 
appoint  an  executive  committee  of  not  less  than  five, 
make  by-laws  to  regulate  its  business,  loan  money  to 
churches,  appropriate  money  to  defray  incidental  expenses, 
and  publish  such  matter  from  time  to  time  as  the  cause 
may  require.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  managers, 
in  case  of  vacancy  in  the  office  of  secretary,  from  death, 
resignation,  or  otherwise,  to  appoint  his  successor  as  soon 
as  practicable,  who  shall  serve  till  the  following  General 
Conference. 

Article  VII. 

BRANCH     SOCIETIES. 

1.  Each  annual  conference  of  the  Church  is  hereby  con- 
stituted a  branch  of  the  general  society  and  shall  elect  a 
board  of  directors  of  not  less  than  five  of  its  members. 
This  board  shall  organize  by  electing  a  president,  secretary, 
and  treasurer.  It  shall  also  adopt  rules  of  regulation  for 
its  government  ia  harmony  with  the  rules  and  government 
of  the  general  board.     The  branch  secretary  and  treasurer 


CHURCH    ERECTION    SOCIETY  157 

shall  submit  annual  reports  to  their  conference  boards  and 
to  the  secretary  of  the  general  board  by  April  first  of  each 
year. 

2.  The  board  of  directors,  in  conjunction  with  the  con- 
ference superintendent,  may  take  charge  of  the  property  of 
the  church  which  becomes  vacant  and  control  the  same  so 
as  to  subserve  the  best  interests  of  the  conference. 

Article  VIII. 

RECEIPTS    OF   TREASURER. 

The  General  Church  Treasurer  shall  receipt  for  all  money 
sent  him  by  the  various  conference  treasurers. 

Article  IX. 

APPLICATION    FOR   LOANS. 

1.  When  a  loan  from  Church  Erection  is  desired,  the 
quarterly  conference  or  official  board  so  desiring  it  shall  be 
called  together  for  the  purpose  of  voting  whether  or  not 
application  shall  be  made.  If  the  vote  be  favorable,  the 
application  shall  be  sent  to  the  Conference  Branch  Church 
Erection  Society  for  its  approval,  and  upon  such  approval 
the  Conference  Branch  Societj'  shall  make  application  to 
the  General  Secretary  of  the  General  Church  Erection 
Society. 

2.  Where  there  is  no  local  church,  the  Conference  Branch 
Society  shall  act  in  lieu  thereof. 

Article  X. 

GRANTING    OF    LOANS. 

1.  The  board  shall  make  no  appropriations  where  there 
is  reasonable  prospect  that  the  church  asking  aid  can  suc- 
ceed without  it,  or  where  there  is  no  prospect  of  gathering 
a  good  church  membership. 

2.  Funds  shall  not  be  loaned  to  any  church  until  the 
church  property  is  secured  by  deed  as  provided  for  in 
the  Discipline ;  nor  shall  loans  be  made  to  churches  until 
their  trustees  have  forwarded  an  abstract  of  the  title  of 
their  property,  certificate  of  release  of  all  mechanics'  liens 
and  other  incumbrances,  and  their  notes,  secured  by  the  first 
mortgage  on  the  premises  properly  recorded  in  the  records 
of  the  courts,  for  the  inspection  of  the  board  of  managers,  or 
executive  committee. 

3.  A  record  of  all  loans  placed  by  the  general  board  on 
churches  and  parsonages  shall  be  kept  by  the  secretary  of 


158  DISCIPLINE 

the  branch  society  in  conferences  where  such  churches  and 
parsonages  are  located. 

4.  The  branch  society  shall  assist  the  general  board  in 
prompfly  securing  all  loans  as  they  become  due  on  churches 
and  parsonages  within  its  jurisdiction ;  and  the  secretary 
of  each  Conference  Branch  Society  shall  report  the  out- 
standing Church  Erection  loans  within  his  territory  at  each 
session  of  the  annual  conference. 

Article  XI. 

DUTY    OF   THE    MINISTRY. 

1.  Each  pastor  shall  present  the  interests  of  church 
erection  to  his  people  during  the  year,  and  distribute  such 
literature  as  may  be  furnished  by  the  secretary  and  board 
of  managers. 

2.  The  conference  superintendent  shall  direct  attention 
to  the  interests  of  the  society  at  quarterly  meetings,  and 
shall  advise  with  the  pastors  as  to  the  best  methods  of  se- 
curing the  advancement  of  the  Church  Erection  cause.  They 
shall  also  interest  themselves  in  securing  special  gifts  and 
bequests  from  those  who  may  be  able  to  give. 

Article  XII. 

INSURANCE. 

1.  The  trustees  of  any  church  or  parsonage  which  re- 
ceives a  loan  from  the  Church  Erection  Society  shall  be 
required  to  secure  said  property  from  loss  by  fire  in  some 
reliable  insurance  company  in  favor  of  said  Church  Erection 
Society. 

Article  XIII. 

PARSONAGE  FUND. 

The  Commission  on  Finance  shall  in  conjunction  with  the 
Church  Erection  Board  set  aside  a  per  cent,  of  the  Church 
Erection  funds  for  Parsonage  Erection. 

Article  XIV. 

ADMINISTRATION    OF    FUNDS. 

1.  All  moneys  collected  for  the  various  funds  of  Church 
Erection  shall  be  paid  to  the  treasurer  of  the  branch  society 
who  shall  promptly  remit  the  same  to  the  General  Church 
Treasurer. 


CHURCH    ERECTION    SOCIETY  159 

2.  All  special  donations  and  bequests  shall  go  direct  to 
the  treasurer  of  the  general  board. 

Article   XV. 

LOT    FUND. 

1.  This  fund  shall  be  applied  for  the  purchasing  of  desir- 
able lots  in  strategic  towns  and  cities  of  the  various  con- 
ferences where  we  have  no  churches,  said  lots  to  be  gifts  to 
the  local  churches  that  may  be  organized  in  such  places. 
If  at  any  time  a  church  to  which  a  lot  has  been  donated 
from  this  fund  should  be  abandoned,  said  lot  shall  revert  to 
the  general  Church  Erection  Society. 

2.  This  fund  shall  be  provided  by  the  Commission  on 
Finance  in  conjunction  with  the  Church  Erection  Board 
by  setting  aside  a  per  cent,  for  this  fund  from  the  Church 
Erection   Budget. 

3.  It  shall  be  available  when  .$5,000  has  accrued  in  its 
treasury. 


Note. — For   the   election   and   duties   of  the  treasurer   of   the 
society,  see  Chapter  V.,   Section  X.,  page  44. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Printing  Establishment  and   Church   Publications. 

Section  I. 

printing  establishment. 

ISIame. 

1.  This  establishment  shall  be  called  "The  Printing 
Establishment  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ." 

Election    of   Ofticers. 

2.  The  controlling  authority  herein  granted  shall  be 
vested  in  the  General  Conference  of  said  Church,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  elect  the  necessary  agents  and  editors, 
and  fix  their  salaries,  and  make  or  amend  such  rules  as  in 
its  judgment  it  maj^  deem  expedient. 

Trustees — Election    and   Duties. 

3.  The  General  Conference  shall  elect  a  board  of  nine 
trustees  to  serve  for  four  years,  or  until  their  successors  are 
elected,  at  least  five  of  whom  shall  be  residents  of  the 
State  of  Ohio  and  at  least  three  of  whom  shall  be  residents 
of  Dayton   or  its  vicinity. 

4.  The  board  of  trustees  thus  elected  shall,  during  the 
interval  of  the  General  Conferences,  take  the  oversight  of 
the  Printing  Establishment.  They  shall  meet  annually, 
or  oftener  if  need  be,  in  the  Publishing  House  in  Dayton, 
Ohio,  on  the  call  of  their  president.  They  shall  also  select 
a  local  committee  of  three  of  their  number,  from  among 
those  residing  in  Dayton  or  vicinity. 

5.  The  local  committee  shall  take  the  oversight  of  the 
establishment  during  the  intervals  of  the  meetings  of  the 
board  of  trustees.  It  shall  meet  monthly,  or  oftener  if 
need  be,  and  shall  have  power  to  order  expenses  curtailed 
in  any  department  of  the  Publishing  House ;  and  should 
there  arise  a  difference  of  opinion  between  the  Agent  and 
the  editor  of  any  of  the  publications  as  to  what  shall  appear 
in  the  columns  of  any  paper,  the  committee  shall  decide 
the  matter ;  it  shall  also  decide  what  books  that  have  been 
approved  by  the  book  committee  shall  be  published  by  the 

160 


PRINTING   ESTABLISHMENT    AND    CHURCU    PUBLICATIONS    161 

House,   and   transact  such   other  Inisiuess  as  may  come  be- 
fore it. 

6.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  have  full  power  at  any 
meeting  to  discontinue  any  periodical  when  the  interests  of 
the  Church  or  Printing  Establishment  demand  it ;  such 
action  shall,  however,  not  be  taken  except  by  a  two-thirds 
vote  of  the  board ;  and  then  the  office  and  »lary  of  the 
editor  or  editors  shall  cease. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  trustees  to  see  that  the 
Agent  and  editors  properly  and  faithfully  discharge  their 
duties.  In  case  of  dereliction  of  duty,  they  may  suspend  the 
delinquent  party  or  parties  from  office  until  the  General 
Conference ;  provided,  however,  that  no  one  shall  be  sus- 
pended until  a  copy  of  the  complaints  in  writing  has  been 
presented  to  the  accused,  and  an  opportunity  given  for 
defense  before  the  board  of  trustees. 

8.  The  trustees  may  make  any  by-laws  which  may  seem 
to  them  expedient  for  the  regulation  of  the  minor  concerns 
of  the  Printing  Establishment,  provided  they  are  not  incon- 
sistent with  any  General  Conference  rule. 

9.  That  the  editors,  Publishing  Agent,  and  trustees  are 
authorized  to  make  such  changes  and  improvements  in  our 
literature  during  the  quadrennium  as  may  be  necessary,  and 
also  to  adjust  any  discrepancies  betAveen  the  periodicals  in 
size  and  prices. 

Duties  of  Publishing  Agent. 

10.  It  shall  be  the  dutj'  of  the  Agent  to  supervise  and 
manage  the  business  of  the  Printing  Establishment,  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  board  of  trustees ;  to  regulate  the 
publications  and  all  other  affairs  of  the  House,  except  that 
which  pertains  to  the  editorial  departments,  in  such  man- 
ner as  the  interests  of  the  Church  may  require.  He  shall 
also  furnish  to  the  local  committee,  at  each  monthly  meet- 
ing, a  full  and  satisfactory  statement  of  all  the  business 
transactions  of  the  previous  month  ;  and,  if  desired  by  the 
committee,  he  shall  present  for  examination  all  books, 
vouchers  and  papers,  and  afford  the  committee  every  means 
and  facility  for  a  full  and  intelligent  understanding  of  the 
business  of  the  Publishing  Plouse.  He  shall  keep  separate 
accounts  with  each  department  of  the  business,  and  also 
each  periodical  published,  and  carry  into  effect  all  of  the 
instructions   of  the  board   of  trustees  and  local   committee. 

11.  The  Agent  and  local  committee  shall  annually  take 


162  DISCIPI.INE 

an  account  of  stock,  including  in  the  inventory  all  the 
assets,  of  whatever  nature,  of  the  Printing  Establishment 
at  their  estimated  cash  value,  except  the  real  estate,  which 
shall  be  appraised  by  the  local  committee  of  the  board  of 
trustees  at  the  end  of  each  quadrennium,  and  the  valuation 
shall  not  be  changed  prior  to  the  close  of  the  succeeding 
quadrennium  except  by  the  purchase  or  sale,  improvement 
or  destruction  of  property.  Such  inventory  shall  also  con- 
tain a  full  and  detailed  statement  of  all  liabilities,  profits, 
and  losses.  The  Agent  and  board  of  trustees  shall  have 
full  control  of  credits  and  collections. 

12.  The  Agent  shall  prepare  and  publish  a  report  of  the 
condition  of  the  Printing  Establishment  annually,  in  the 
Religious  Telescope,  and  shall  also  make  a  report  to  the 
General  Conference.  He  shall  make  arrangements  for  ver- 
hatim  reports  of  the  proceedings  of  the  General  Conference 
for  publication. 

Vacancies. 

13.  Should  any  vacancy  occur  in  any  of  the  offices  of 
the  Printing  Establishment,  or  in  the  board  of  trustees,  the 
trustees  shall  fill  such  vacancy  until  the  sitting  of  the  suc- 
ceeding General  Conference. 

Employment   of   Time. 

14.  No  editor  or  officer  employed  in  the  Printing  Estab- 
lishment shall  accept  any  office  or  engage  in  any  business 
which  will  interfere  with  the  duties  of  his  office. 

Proceeds. 

15.  The  profits  of  the  Printing  Establishment,  after  a 
sufficient  capital  to  carry  on  the  business  is  retained,  shall 
be  applied  to  the  benefit  of  traveling  and  worn-out  itinerant 
preachers  and  their  widows  and  orphans.  (For  method  of 
distribution,  see  Preachers'  Pension  Bureau,  page  TO ;  for 
source  of  income,  see  pp.  119,   120.) 


Section  II. 

CHURCn    PUBLICATIONS. 

Hook  Committee. 
1.     That  the  book  committee  be  composed  of   the  editor 
of  the  Religious  Telescope,  editor  of  the  Watchicord,  editor 
of  the  Sabbath-school  literature,  the  professor  of  theology  in 


PRINTING    ESTABLISHMENT    AND    CHURCH    PUBLICATIONS    103 

Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary,  and  the  Publishing  Agent, 
The  latter  shall  receive  all  manuscripts  and  have  power  to 
call  the  committee,  and  without  the  sanction  of  the  book 
committee  no  book  shall  be  published  in  the  name  of  the 
Church  or  Publishing  House  during  the  intervals  of  the 
General  Conference,  The  Agent  and  local  committee  shall 
select  a  Book  Editor. 

Authorship  of  Doctrinal  Publications. 
2.  No  one  of  our  preachers  or  laymen  shall  become  the 
author  of  any  doctrinal  book  or  pamphlet,  in  a  printed 
form,  in  tke  name  of  the  Church,  without  the  approbation 
of  the  book  committee  or  the  annual  conference,  or  of  a 
committee  chosen  by  the  latter.  If  any  preacher  or  layman 
violates  this  rule,  he  shall  be  accountable  to  the  class  or  to 
the  quarterly  or  annual  conference,  as  the  case  voaj  be. 


QHAPTEK  XXII. 

Education. 
Section  I. 

BOARD    OF    EDUCATION, 

Constitution. 

1.  The  Board  of  Education  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ  shall  consist  of  14  members,  seven  ministers  and 
seven  laymen,  to  be  elected  by  the  General  Conference,  who 
shall  hold  office  for  four  years.  They  shall  as  far  as  pos- 
sible represent  all  sections  of  the  Church.  In  addition  the 
bishops  shall  be  members  ex  officio  of  this  board.  The 
presidents  of  our  colleges  shall  be  advisory  members.  Five 
members   shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

2.  There  shall  be  a  General  Secretary  of  Education 
elected  by  the  General   Conference. 

Oi'ganization. 

3.  The  officers  of  the  board  in  addition  to  the  General 
Secretary  shall  be  a  president  and  vice-president,  who  shall 
be  elected  by  the  board  at  the  first  session  immediately 
after  the  adjournment  of  General  Conference,  and  these 
officers  shall  hold  office  until  the  next  General  Conference. 

4.  The  General  Secretary  of  Education,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Board  shall  conduct  the  correspondence,  keep  the 
records,  and  in  all  his  official  conduct  shall  be  subject  to  the 
authority  and  control  of  the  board.  His  time  shall  be  en- 
tirely employed  in  conducting  the  affairs  of  the  Board  and 
promoting  its  objects  by  making  educational  investigations, 
by  traveling  in  its  interests,  by  visiting  the  schools  of  the 
Church,  and  lending  assistance  to  the  officers  thereof,  by 
making  educational  addresses,  by  soliciting  funds  and  stu- 
dents for  the  schools  of  the  Church,  by  compiling  statis- 
tics and  other  information  for  the  uses  of  the  Board,  and 
performing  such  other  labors  as  will  assist  the  existing 
schools  of  the  denomination  and  those  hereafter  established 
to  a  higher  degree  of  efficiency,  and  perform  sucli  other 
duties  as  the  Board  may  from   time  to  time  require. 

164 


EDUCATIOX  165 

5.  There  shall  be  at  least  one  session  of  the  board  each 
year.  Special  meetings  of  the  board  may  be  called  by  the 
president,  upon  the  request  of  five  members. 

G.  In  the  case  of  a  vacancy  occurring  in  the  board,  by 
death  or  otherwise,  the  board  shall  have  power  to  fill  the 
vacancy,  the  election  to  be  by  ballot,  and  the  person  elected 
to  hold  office  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Con- 
ference. 

^  Work  of  the  Board. 
7.     The  work  of  this  board  shall  be : 

(a)  To  assist  in  every  way  the  cause  of  higher  edu- 
cation in  the  Church,  to  awaken  and  stimulate  an  interest 
in  this  important  work  throughout  the  borders  of  our  Zion, 
to  encourage  and  aid  our  educational  institutions  that  are  |^ 
striving  to  bring  the  Church  to  greater  efficiency,  and  to 
unite  the  friends  of  education  in  their  efforts,  that  greater 
unity  of  plan  may  be  secured,  and  the  forces  of  the  Church 
combined  to  give  our  people  advantages  commensurate  with 
the  needs  of  the  present  day. 

(b)  This  board  shall  deteimiue  the  number  of  colleges 
and  academies,  the  standards  for  the  various  grades  of 
institutions  of  learning  and  the  co-operating  territory  of 
each.  In  the  re-adjustm.ent  of  co-operating  territory  of 
existing  institutions,  the  board  shall  seek  such  an  equitable 
adjustn  ent  as  may  be  satisfactory  to  the  conferences  and 
institutions  concerned. 

(c)  The  board  shall  determine  the  standard  of  colleges 
which  grant  the  Bachelor  degree.  The  remainder  of  our 
schools  may  be  junior  colleges  or  academies  or  may  be  dis- 
continued, at  the  discretion  of  the  board.  The  junior  col- 
leges and  academies  shall  co-operate  with  the  standard 
colleges  in  course  of  study,  in  students  and  in  every  way  pos- 
sible in  their  respective  districts.  The  courses  of  study 
of  like  grade  schools  shall  co-ordinate  as  far  as  possible, 
based  upon  the  minimum  of  units  as  outlined  by  the  board. 

(d)  No  church  school  shall  be  established,  discontinued, 
relocated,  or  consolidated  with  another  without  the  consent 
of  this  board,  by  a  two-thirds   vote  of  the  entire  board. 

PutUcations. 

(e)  To  seek  by  the  publication  of  tracts,  pamphlets,  ad- 
dresses, or  books  upon  educational  questions,  to  diffuse 
among  our  members  a  more  general  knowledge  of  the  value 


IGO  DISCIPLINE 

of  a  sanctified  education  and  of  a  well-instructed  ministry, 
and  thereby  awaken  in  them  a  better  appreciation  of  our 
institutions  of  learning,  and  of  the  obligations  resting  upon 
them  to  give  of  their  substance  for  their  support. 

Reports   and   Recommendations. 

(f)  To  make  an  annual  report  of  the  general  and  finan- 
cial condition  of  the  colleges  and  other  educational  institu- 
tions of  the  Church ;  to  make  such  recommendations  to  the 
managers  of  these  institutions  as  will  tend  to  make  them 
more  effective. 

Beneficiary  Aid. 

8.  (a)  To  raise  funds  by  collection,  donation,  or  be- 
quest, to  aid  by  loan,  without  interest,  as  the  executive 
committee  may  determine,  in  educating,  in  both  their  col- 
legiate and  theological  courses,  worthy  young  persons  who 
are  preparing  themselves  for  the  work  of  the  gospel  minis- 
try, or  as  missionaries  in  the  United  Brethren  Church  ;  pro- 
vided, however,  that  the  board  shall  have  power  to  receive 
money  and  use  it  for  other  educational  purposes,  as  donors 
may  direct. 

Collections. 

(b)  To  accomplish  these  results  an  annual  offering  may 
be  taken  or  if  the  board  thinks  best,  the  amount  to  be  raised 
by  the  various  conferences  may  be  apportioned  according  to 
the  judgment  of  the  board  and  in  accord  with  the  decision 
of  the  Commission  on  Finance.  Tlie  funds  thus  raised  shall 
be  sent  to  the  General  Church  Treasurer. 

Recommendations  for  Aid. 

(c)  Young  persons  aided  by  this  board  must  first  be 
recommended  as  suitable  persons  to  receive  aid  by  the  con- 
ference in  whose  bounds  they  live,  or  to  which  they  belong ; 
or  by  the  Board  of  Missions,  when  the  applicant  does  not 
reside  within  the  bounds  of  any  conference ;  or  by  an  edu- 
cational committee  appointed  by  the  conference,  to  whom 
all  requests  for  aid,  not  acted  upon  by  conference,  or  which 
shall  occur  during  the  interim  of  its  sessions,  shall  be 
referred. 

Delinquents. 

(d)  No  person  having  received  aid  from  the  Board  of 
Education   may   be   granted   an   honorable   dismissal   by   his 


EDUCATION  167 

conference  until  he  shall  have  made  satisfactory  statement 
with  the  board.  The  bishops  are  directed  to  enforce  this 
provision. 

9.  There  shall  be  an  education  fund  under  the  control 
of  this  board,  to  be  raised  by  the  secretary  and  members  of 
the  board,  in  the  form  of  cash,  gifts,  death  notes,  bequests, 
etc. 

This  fund  shall  be  appropriated  at  the  discretion  of  the 
Board. 

Executive  Committee  and  By-Laws. 

10.  The  board  shall  have  power  to  appoint  an  executive 
committee  from  its  own  membership,  and  take  such  other 
measures  to  accomplish  the  object  of  its  creation,  as  shall 
not  be  inconsistent  with  this  constitution. 

Education  Day. 

11.  There  shall  be  observed  annually  in  each  congregation 
an  Education  Day,  at  which  time  pastor  and  people  shall 
give  special  attention  to  the  educational  interests  of  the 
Church.  The  churches  and  schools  shall  each  year  observe 
the  Day  of  Prayer  for  students. 

Quadrennial  Report, 

12.  The  board,  through  its  secretary,  shall  make  to  the 
General  Conference,  a  report  of  all  the  work  done  during 
the  preceding  four  years,  including  money  received  by  collec- 
tions, bequests,  or  otherwise,  the  amount  paid  out,  and  the 
purposes  for  which  it  was  paid.  The  board  may  propose 
to  the  General  Conference,  from  time  to  time,  such  plans 
as  it  may  consider  useful  or  necessary  for  the  success  of 
flie  work  committed  to  it. 

Annual  Conference  Board, 

13.  There  shall  be  a  Board  of  Education  in  each  annual 
conference  which  shall  report  annually  to  the  annual  con- 
ference. 

The  number  of  members  of  this  board,  the  method  of  their 
election  and  organization  shall  be  determined  by  the  general 
Board  of  Education. 

This  board  shall  act  in  co-operation  with  the  general 
board  in  developing  our  educational  interests  within  its  ter- 
ritory. 


168  DISCIPLINE 

The  local  institutions  and  this  board  shall  work  in  har- 
mon3^ 

14.  No  addition  or  amendments  to  the  provisions  of  this 
constitution  shall  be  made  except  by  consent  of  a  majority 
of  the  members  of  the  General  Conference  present  at  any  of 
its  sessions.  Notice  of  any  proposed  addition  or  amend- 
ment shall  be  given  at  least  one  day  previous  to  its  consid- 
eration. 

Section  II. 

ACADEMIES. 

In  this  day  of  excellent  high  schools  in  many  parts  of 
our  country,  academies  should  be  located  judiciously,  and 
should  confine  their  literary  courses  of  study  to  such 
branches  of  learning  as  will  prepare  for  entrance  upon  the 
freshman  or  sophomore  year  of  the  best  colleges.  An  acad- 
emy doing  such  work  is  greatly  preferable  to  an  inferior 
college.  No  new  academy  shall  be  undertaken  with  less 
sum  than  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

Section  III. 

COLLEGES. 

1.  The  success  of  our  church  work  is  connected  vitally 
with  the  colleges  of  the  Church.  In  these  our  youth  are 
developed  and  equipped  in  mind  and  heart  for  the  work  of 
effective  service  to  humanity. 

2.  The  ministry  and  laity  should  earnestly  use  their 
power  to  have  as  many  young  people  as  possible  attend  our 
own  institutions  of  learning,  and  to  encourage  persons  to 
give  liberally  of  their  means  for  the  more  thorough  estab- 
lishment and  equipment  of  our  educational  institutions. 

3.  No  college  shall  be  founded  except  upon  the  demand 
of  an  imperative  necessity,  or  with  a  less  sum  of  money 
than  two-hundred  thousand  dollars,  of  which  one-hundred 
thousand  dollars  shall  be  a  permanent  and  productive  en- 
dowment, and  whose  title  shall  be  in  fee  simple  to  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  As  to  Christian 
education,  the  divine  Word  aptly  .declares :  "Wisdom  is  a 
defence,  and  money  is  a  defence ;  but  the  excellency  of 
knowledge  is,  that  -wisdom  giveth  life  to  them  that  have  it." 

4.  It  is  recommended  that  the  several  presidents  and 
principals  of  our  institutions  of  learning  be  ex  officio  mem- 
bers of  the  local  official  bodies  which  govern  the  said  insti- 
tutions. 


EDUCATION  169 

5.  We  direct  that  the  endowment  funds  of  our  institu- 
tions of  learning  be  kept  sacred  for  the  purposes  for  which 
they  were  given,  and  not  dissipated  and  jeopardized  by  loans 
to  the  contingent  fund  of  the  institution  and  spent  for  cur- 
rent expenses,  and  we  recommend  that  these  funds  of  our 
institutions  be  not  loaned  to  the  members  of  the  board,  or 
officers  or  teachers  of  the  institution,  or  others  who  are 
personally  interested  in  the  care  and  safe-keeping  of  these 
funds. 

6.  We  cordially  endorse  and  approve  the  best  method  of 
industrial  education  as  applied  in  those  institutions  where 
mechanical  and  other  equipment  is  provided  for  this  purpose, 
and  recommend  that  this  practical  training  and  self-help 
be  secured  for  those  who  desire  it,  as  soon  as  practicable. 

College  Extension   Courses. 

7.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  many  of  our  ministers  and 
laymfen  who  find  it  impossible  to  go  away  to  school,  would 
be  glad  to  pursue  a  course  of  study,  and  in  view  of  the 
university  and  college  movement  now  organized  in  most  of 
the  schools  of  higher  education  in  our  land,  we  recommend : 

(1)  That  all  our  colleges  offer  such  non-resident  courses 
of  study  as  they  may  be  able  to  teach,  for  the  aid  and  en- 
couragement of  the  above-named  class  of  students. 

(2)  That  these  students  be  examined  thoroughly  on 
their  courses  of  study,  and  that  suitable  diplomas  be 
awarded  those  who  complete  their  work  to  the  satisfaction 
of  the  respective  colleges. 

8.  We  recommend  that  our  institutions  of  learning  pro- 
vide such  instruction  as  prepare  their  students  to  become 
'leaders  of  song  in  church  and  Sunday  school. 

9.  We  recommend  that  our  institutions  of  learning  give 
greater  emphasis  to  the  training  of  their  young  people  for 
different  phases  of  religious  work. 

Section  IV. 

BONEBRAKE  THEOLOGICAL   SEIIINARY. 

1.  This  institution  of  sacred  learning,  located  in  Dayton, 
Ohio,  is  maintained  by  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  for 
the  purpose  of  educating  persons  called  of  God  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry  and  the  spread  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  among 
men.  It  shall  be  under  the  control  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  by  which  its  board 
of  directors  shall  be  elected  at  each  quadrennial  session. 


170  DISCIPLINE 

Officers. 

"2.  The  oflBcers  of  the  Seminary  shall  consist  of  a  busi- 
aess  manager  and  a  board  of  directors,  who  shall  be  elected 
by  t>he  General  Conference.  The  board  of  directors  shall  be 
Gomposed  of  not  less  than  nine  members,  and  may  have 
three  additional  members  at  large,  at  least  one  of  whom 
shall  be  a  representative  of  the  alumni,  to  be  elected  by  the 
board  of  directors,  at  their  option,  for  a  term  not  extend- 
ing beyond  the  session  of  the  ensuing  General  Conference, 
aad  the  bishops  of  the  Church,  who  shall  be  considered 
ea?  officio  members ;  provided,  always,  that  a  majority  of  the 
directors  shall  be  bona  fide  residents  of  the  State  of  Ohio. 

Duties  of  Directors. 

3.  The  board  of  directors  shall  meet  on  the  call  of  the 
senior  bishop  immediately  after  their  election,  and  organize 
by  electing  a  president  and  secretary.  The  board  of  active 
M^ops  shall  act  as  vice-presidents  in  the  order  of  their 
seniority.  They  shall  meet  annually  in  the  Seminary  build- 
ing at  Dayton,  Ohio,  elect  a  president  and  the  necessary 
faculty,  review  the  work  of  the  business  manager  and  the 
faculty,  determine  the  salaries  of  the  faculty,  and  adopt 
measjures  for  the  advancement  of  the  interests  of  the  institu- 
tion. 

4.  The  board  of  directors  may  fill  any  vacaacy  cawsed 
by  the  resignation,  removal,  or  refusal  to  serve  of  the  busi- 
ness manager  or  trustees. 

5.  The  board  shall  elect  four  persons  who,  together  with 
the  business  manager,  shall  constitute  the  executive  com- 
mittee, which  shall  meet  on  call  of  the  chairman  and  trans- 
act business  for  the  institution  in  accord  with  the  orders 
and  plans  of  the  board  of  directors. 

-  6.  The  board  of  directors  shall  make  to  the  General 
Conference  a  report  of  its  work,  giving  such  facts  in  con- 
nection with  the   Seminary  as  it  may  deem  of  importance. 

Business  Manager. 
7.  The  business  manager  shall  reside  in  Dayton,  Ohio, 
and  shall  manage  the  assets  under  the  direction  of  the 
executive  committee,  have  charge  of  all  the  propej'ty,  and 
manage  the  business  of  the  institution.  He  shall  solicit 
and,  with  the  consent  and  approval  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors, or  executive  committee,  employ  others  to  solicit  con- 
tributions to  the  Seminary.     In  the  name  of  the  Bonebrake 


EDUCATION  171 

Theological  Seminary,  and  under  its  corporate  seal,  the  busi- 
ness manager  shall  execute  all  deeds  of  transfer  and  other 
legal  documents  which  may  be  authorized  by  the  board  of 
directors  or  its  executive  committee.  He  shall  report  to 
the  board  of  directors  annually,  and  to  the  General  Con- 
ference, an  account  of  all  receipts  and  expenditures,  and 
the  standing  and  eflSciency  of  the.  institution,  with  any 
other  important  facts  or  recommendations. 

The  Custodian  of  Funds. 

8.  The  General  Church  Treasurer  shall  receive  and  dis- 
burse on  order  the  funds  of  the  Seminary. 

Endowment   and   Other   Funds. 

9.  All  moneys  or  values  of  any  kind  given  to  the  Semi- 
nary as  an  endowment  shall  be  held  sacred  as  a  permanent 
fund  and  securely  invested,  the  interest  only  to  be  used  in 
the  maintenance  of  the  Seminary.  All  other  funds  shall 
be  used  as  the  interests  of  the  Seminary  may  require  or  as 
the  donors  may  direct. 

Annual  Income. 

The  annual  apportionment  and  division  of  funds  shall  be 
by  the  Commission  on  Finance  as  outlined  in  the  plan  for 
said  commission  in  Chapter  XV.,  page  120. 

Ohligation   of  Faculty. 

11.  Each  professor  chosen  to  a  chair  in  the  Seminary 
shall,  upon  the  day  of  his  inauguration,  publicly  subscribe 
to  the  following  declaration  of  faith  and  obligation  : 

I  solemnly  declare,  in  the  presence  of  God  and  the  officers 
of  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary,  that  I  believe  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  Old  and  New  Testaments,  to  be  the  inspired 
Word  of  God,  and,  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  only  perfect 
rule  of  faith  and  practice.  I  believe  the  Confession  of 
Faith,  as  contained  in  the  thirteen  articles  in  our  Book  of 
Discipline,  to  be  a  truthful  consensus  of  the  fundamental 
doctrines  of  the  Bible.  I  believe  that  the  system  of  church 
government,  as  presented  in  the  Book  of  Discipline  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  is  consistent  with  the  teachings 
of  the  sacred  Scriptures,  and  I  solemnly  promise  that  I  will 
not  teach  or  insinuate  anything  that  shall  in  any  way  be  in- 
consistent with  the  foregoing  declaration,  or  that  is  not  in 
harmony    with    the    Constitution    and    Confession    of    Faith 


172  DISCIPLIXE 

and  the  rules  of  the  Church  as  set  forth  in  the  Discipline 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  I  also  promise,  by  divine 
assistance,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  to  sustain  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  thus  set  forth  by  the 
ChurA,  in  opposition  to  all  forms  of  error,  as  long  as  I 
shall  remain    a   professor   in    this   institution. 

[Name] 

Entrance  Examinatioit. 

The  faculty  shall  require  candidates  for  admission  to  the 
Seminary  to  pass  any  examinations  deemed  necessary  to 
determine  their  fitness ;  and  arrange  for  examinations  in 
the  respective  conferences  without  expense  to  the  candidates, 
provided  that  no  person  shall  be  permitted  to  enter  the 
regular  course  of  study  who  has  not  had  a  high  school  course 
or  its  fair  equivalent. 

Postgraduate   Studies. 

13.  The  faculty  may  arrange  postgraduate  courses  of 
reading  to  cover  one,  two,  or  three  years,  for  the  success- 
ful completion  of  which  appropriate  seals  shall  be  placed 
upon  the  diplomas  of  alumni.  The*  examination  shall  be  by 
correspondence,   or   otherwise,   as   the   faculty   may   arrange. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Historical  Society. 

Section  I. 

'  GENERAL    COISTFEREXCE    APPROVAL. 

1.  The  Historical  Society  of  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  located  in  Daj^ton,  Ohio,  having  for  its 
object  the  collecting  and  preserving  of  papers,  records, 
books,  and  other  materials  bearing  upon  the  history  of  the 
Church,  has  the  recognition  of  the  General  Conference. 

2.  Said  society  shall,  through  its  officers,  make  quad- 
rennial reports  to  the  General  Conference. 

Section  II. 

constitution. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

The  name  of  this  society  shall  be,  The  Historical  Society 
of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

Its  object  shall  be  to  collect  and  preserve  information 
in  connection  with  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ ;  also,  objects  of  curiosity 
and  interest,  in  the  form  of  manuscripts,  books,  pamphlets, 
medals,  portraits,  etc. 

Article  III. 

LOCATION. 

The  business  headquarters,  the  museum,  and  library  of 
the  society  shall  be  located  in  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Article  IV. 

MEMBERS. 

1.  Any  person  approved  by  the  board  of  managers  may 
become   a   member   upon   the   payment   of  an   initiatory   fee 

173 


174  DISCIPLINE 

of  one  dollar,  and  may  retain  membership  by  contributing 
one  dollar  annually  thereafter.  In  case  of  failure  to  pay 
fees  within  six  months  after  they  are  due,  membership  shall 
be  forfeited. 

2.  Any  person  approved  by  the  board  of  managers  may, 
by  the  payment  of  ten  dollars,  become  a  life  member,  and 
shall  be  exempt  from  the  payment  of  the  annual  fee. 

3.  The  board  of  managers  shall  have  pov^^er  to  appoint 
a  corresponding  member  within  each  of  the  annual  confer- 
ences of  the  Church ;  but,  at  the  request  of  the  board  of 
managers,  a  corresponding  member  may  be  elected  by  an 
annual  conference.  Other  corresponding  members  may  be 
elected  by  the  board,  at  theiir  option. 

4.  Any  person  considered  worthy  of  the  honor  may, 
by  the  board  of  managers,  be  elected  to  honorary  member- 
ship, without  fees. 

Article  V. 

OFFICERS. 

1.  The  officers  shall  consist  of  a  president,  first,  second, 
and  third  vice-presidents,  secretary,  librarian,  and  a  board  of 
managers  consisting  of  these  officers  and  eight,  other  mem- 
bers. The  General  Church  Treasurer  is,  by  enactment  of 
General  Conference,  the  treasurer  of  the  society. 

2.  These  officers  shall  be  elected  at  each  regular  annual 
meeting,  and  shall  serve  until  their  successors  have  been 
duly  elected. 

3.  The  election  of  officers  shall  be  conducted  by  ballot, 
unless  there  be  but  one  nomination,  in  which  case  the 
election   shall  be  by  acclamation. 

4.  In  voting  by  ballot,  no  votes  shall  be  counted  ex- 
cept those  votes  cast  by  members  present  at  the  meeting,  for 
persons  nominated,  and  a  majority  of  all  votes  cast  shall 
be  necessary  to  election. 

5.  The  board  of  managers  shall  have  power  to  fill  vacan- 
cies. 

Article  VI. 

DUTIES    AND    PRIVILEGES    OF    MEMBERS. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  members  of  every  class  to  pro- 
mote the  interests  of  the  society  in  every  way  possible, 
by  securing  for  the  society  such  information  and  such 
articles  as  will  be  of  value  in  accomplishing  the  purpose 
of  the  organization. 


HISTORICAL    SOCIETY  175 

2.  Annual  and  life  members  shall  be  entitled  to  all  the 
privileges  of  the  society,  including  admission  to  the  museum 
and  library.  Corresponding  and  honorary  members  shall  be 
entitled  to  admission  to  the  museum  and  library. 

Article  VII. 

DUTIES   OF  OFFICERS. 

1.  The  duties  of  the  president,  vice-presidents,  secretary, 
and  treasurer  shall  be  such  as  are  usually  performed  by 
these  officers. 

2.  The  librarian  shall  be  the  custodian  of  the  prop- 
erty of  the  society,  and  shall  manage  it  according  to  the 
rules  adopted  by  the  board  of  managers. 

3.  The  board  of  managers  shall  have  charge  of  all  the 
interests  of  the  society  in  tke  interim  of  the  annual 
meetings.  They  shall  meet  quarterly.  Special  meetings 
may  be  called  by  the  president.  Five  shall  constitute  a 
quorum. 

4.  The  treasurer,  librarian,  and  board  of  managers  shall 
render  reports  to  the  society  at  the  annual  meeting. 

Article  VIII. 

PROPERTY. 

All  the  property  of  the  society,  except  its  funds,  shall  be 
deposited  in  a  room  or  rooms,  provided  for  the  purpose,  and 
shall  be  open  for  the  inspection  of  the  members  of  the  so- 
ciety and  others,  under  such  restrictions  and  regulations  as 
may  be  adopted  by  the  board  of  managers ;  and  in  no  case 
shall  any  article  of  any  kind  be  removed  from  the  museum 
or  depository,  except  by  order  of  the  board  of  managers, 
and  then  only  for  a  limited  time.  The  depository  shall  con- 
tain, under  the  same  restrictions  and  regulations,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  members,  a  library,  to  he  formed  as  rapidly 
as  circumstances  will  permit. 

Article  IX. 

FUNDS. 

1.  All  funds,  after  necessary  expenses  are  paid,  shall  be 
appropriated  to  the  enlargement  and  preservation  of  ^  the 
museum  and  library. 

2.  All  bequests  of  money  made  to  the  society  shall  be 
funded  under  the  direction  of  the  board  of  managers,  and 
the  interest  thereof  used  for  ordinary  expenses. 


176      .  DISCIPLINE 

Article  X. 

MEETINGS. 

The  society  shall  meet  annually  for  the  purpose  of  elect- 
ing oflBcers  and  transacting  other  necessary  business.  Twen- 
ty-five shall  constitute  a  quonim.  The  time  of  meeting  of  the 
society  and  the  board  shall  be  determined  by  the  board. 

Article  XL 

AMENDMENTS. 

This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  regular  meet- 
ing by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present,  provided 
that  the  proposed  amendment  shall  have  been  previously 
approved  by  the  board  of  managers,  and  published  in  the 
Religious  Telescope. 


PART  VII. 

Boundaries 
CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Bishops'  Districts.^ 

1.     East  District. 

Allegheny,  East  Pennsylvania,  East  Tennessee,  Georgia- 
Florida,  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  West  Virginia,  and 
Chickamauga   Conferences. 

II.     Central  District. 
East  Ohio,  Indiana,  Kentucky,  Miami,  Ohijo  German,  San- 
dusky,  Southeast   Ohio,   and   West  Tennessee   Conferences. 

III.  Northwest  District. 

Iowa  State,  Lower  Wabash,  Michigan,  Minnesota,  Mon- 
tana. Northern  Illinois,  St.  Joseph,  White  River,  and  Wis- 
consin Conferences. 

IV.  Southwest  District. 

Colorado,  Nebraska,  Missouri,  Neosho,  North  Kansas, 
North  Texas,  Oklahoma,  Southwest  Kansas,  and  Louisiana 
Conferences.^ 

V.     Pacific  District. 
California,  Columbia  River,  and  Oregon  Conferences. 

VI.     Foreign  District. 

China,  Japan,  Philippines,  West  Africa,  and  Porto  Rico 
Conferences. 


^By  order  of  the  General  Conference  each  Bishop  is  required 
to  reside  within  the  bounds   of  his  own   district. 


177 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Annual  Conference  Districts. 

The  boundaries  of  the  conferences  shall  be  as  follows : 

ALLEGHENY. 

1.  Beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Mercer  County, 
Pennsylvania :  thence  along  the  southern  line  of  Mercer  and 
Venango  counties  to  Clarion  County ;  thence  north  along 
the  eastern  line  of  Venango  County  to  Warren  County : 
thence  along  the  southern  line  of  Warren,  McKean,  and 
Potter  counties  :  thence  north  along  the  eastern  line  of  Pot- 
ter County  to  the  New  York  State  line ;  thence  along  the 
State  line  between  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  to  the  north 
branch  of  the  Susquehanna  River ;  thence  along  the  west 
line  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  and  Pennsylvania  confer- 
ences to  the  State  of  Maryland ;  thence  along  the  south  line 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
State ;  thence  along  the  State  line  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

CALIFORNIA. 

2.  California  Conference  embraces  the  State  of  California. 

CHICKAMAUGA. 

3.  Chickamauga  Conference  embraces  the  State  of  Ten- 
nessee and  the  country  south,  wherever  churches  are  organ- 
ized among  the  colored  people. 

COLORADO. 

4.  Colorado  Conference  includes  the  States  of  Colorado, 
Wyoming,  and  Utah. 

COLUMBIA  RIVER. 

5.  Beginning  on  the  northern  boundary  of  the  State  of 
Washington ;  thence  south  along  the  Cascade  Mountains  to 
the  Columbia  River ;  thence  up  the  Columbia  River  to  the 
mouth  of  the  John  Day  River ;  thence  south  along  said  river 
to  its  source ;  thence  east  to  the  Oregon  line,  including  all 
the  territory  of  Washington  and  Oregon  east  of  the  line 
above  given,  and  also  the  State  of  Idaho. 

178 


ANNUAL    CONFERENCE   DISTRICTS  179 

EAST    NEBRASKA. 

6.  Begiuuing  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Douglas  County, 
Nebraska ;  thence  west  to  the  Platte  River ;  thence  along 
said  river  to  the  West  Nebraska  Conference  line ;  thence 
south  on  said  line  to  the  southern  boundary  line  of  Ne- 
braska ;  thence  east  to  the  southeast  corner  of  said  State ; 
thence  north  along  the  east  line  of  said  State  to  the  point 
of  beginning.  The  town  of  Chester,  in  Thayer  County, 
Nebraska,  to  belong  to  Northwest  Kansas  Conference.  (Fre- 
mont, on  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  to  belong  to  North 
Nebraska  Conference.) 

EAST    OHIO. 

7.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  the  State  of 
Ohio ;  thence  south  along  the  State  line  and  the  Ohio  River 
to  Marietta  ;  thence  up  the  Muskingum  River  to  a  point  op- 
posite the  northwest  corner  of  Noble  County,  Ohio ;  then  due 
east  to  said  northeast  corner  of  Noble  County ;  thence  north 
along  the  east  line  of  Muskingum  and  Guernsey  Counties, 
Ohio ;  thence  west  along  the  north  line  of  Muskingum  and 
Licking  Counties,  Ohio,  to  the  east  line  of  Delaware  County, 
Ohio  ;  thence  west  from  this  point  to  Delaware,  Ohio ;  thence 
north  along  the  eastern  boundary  of  Sandusky  Conference 
to  Sandusky  City,  Ohio ;  thence  eastward  along  the  north- 
ern boundary  of  the  State  of  Ohio  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

EAST   PENNSYLVANIA. 

8.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  boundary  of  the  State  of 
New  Jersey  on  the  Atlantic  Coast ;  thence  along  the  said 
boundary  line  and  the  Delaware  River  to  the  northern  bound- 
ary of  Pennsylvania ;  thence  westward  along  said  boundary 
to  the  north  branch  of  the  Susquehanna  River ;  thence  along 
said  river  to  the  junction  of  the  north  and  west  branches  of 
the  Susquehanna  River ;  thence  southward  along  the  east 
shore  of  the  Susquehanna  River  and  the  Chesaj)eake  Bay  to 
the  Atlantic  Ocean ;  thence  northward  along  the  Atlantic 
Coast  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Said  conference  shall  be 
the  legal  successor  of  Eastern  Conference  and  East  Penn- 
sylvania Conference.  All  rights,  interests,  bequests,  and 
obligations  of  said  conferences  shall  inhere  in  the  said  East 
Pennsylvania   Conference, 

EAST    TENNESSEE. 

9.  East  Tennessee  Conference  embraces  all  the  territory 
in  Tennessee  lying  east  of  the  Cumberland  Mountains,  and 


180  DISCIPLI^'E 

the  counties  of  Lea.  Scott,  and  Washington  in  the  State  of 
Virginia. 

ERIE. 

10.  Beginning  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania ;  thence  south 
along  the  State  line  between  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  to  the 
southwest  corner  of  Mercer  County,  Pennsylvania ;  thence 
east  with  the  line  as  described  in  the  bounding  of  Allegheny 
Conference  to  the  New  York  State  line,  and  including  the 
State  of  New  York  and  all  that  part  of  Pennsylvania  em- 
braced within  the  above-described  limits ;  provided,  that 
Orangeville  Circuit  be  included  in  Erie  Conference. 

GEORGIA-FLORIDA. 

11.  Georgia-Florida  Conference  embraces  all  the  States 
o^  Georgia  and  Florida. 

INDIANA. 

12.  Indiana  Conference  shall  embrace  all  the  territory  in 
Indiana  south  of  the  following  line  i  Beginning  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  Sullivan  County,  thence  due  east  to  the 
west  boundary  of  Bartholomew  County  ;  thence  southeast  to 
Columbus ;  thence  eastward  by  way  of  Big  Four  Railroad 
to  Greensburg,  thence  southeast  by  said  railroad  to  the 
southwest  corner  of  Franklin  County ;  thence  east  along 
said  county  line  to  the  Ohio  State  line. 

Lewis  class  in  Vigo  County,  Briley  and  Middlebury  classes 
in  Clay  County,  and  Beech  in  Owen  County  are  hereby 
placed  in  Indiana  Conference,  and  Columbus  charge  is  to  be 
in  White  River  Conference. 

IOWA    STATE   CONFERENCE. 

13.  Iowa  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State  of  Iowa. 

KENTUCKY. 

14.  Kentucky  Conference  embraces  all  the  State  of  Ken- 
tucky, except  Covington  and  Newport,  which  belong  to 
Miami  Conference. 

LOUISIANA. 

15.  Louisiana  Conference  embraces  the  States  of  Louisi- 
ana, Mississippi,  and  Alabama. 


ANNUAL   CONFERENCE   DISTRICTS  181 

LOWER   WABASH. 

16.  Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  River ;  thence 
up  said  river  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Green  County, 
thence  along  the  northern  lines  of  Green,  Macoupin,  and 
Montgomery  counties  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Montgomery 
County,  thence  along  a  straight  line  across  Christian  Coun- 
ty to  the  southwest  corner  of  Macon  County,  thence  along 
the  south  and  east  lines  of  Macon  County,  thence  along  the 
west  and  north  lines  of  Piatt  County,  thence  along  the  west 
and  north  lines  of  Champaign  County,  thence  along  the  west 
and  north  lines  of  YermiJlion  County  to  the  Indiana  State 
line.  Cherry  Grove  and  Dalton  City  churches  to  be  in  the 
Northern  Illinois  Conference. 

MIAMI. 

17.  Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami  River ; 
thence  north  along  the  western  boundary  of  the  State  of 
Ohio,  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Darke  County,  Ohio ;  thence 
eastward  along  the  Sandusky  Conference  line  to  Sidney, 
Ohio ;  jihence  to  the  east  line  of  Champaign  County,  Ohio  ; 
thence  southwest  along  the  east  line  of  the  counties  of 
Champaign,  Clarke,  and  Green  to  the  north  line  of  Clinton 
County ;  thence  west  on  the  north  line  of  Clinton  County 
to  the  northeast  corner  of  Warren  County ;  thence  south  on 
the  east  line  of  Warren  County  to  the  north  line  of  Clermont 
County  ;  thence  west  on  the  north  line  of  Clermont  County 
to  the  east  line  of  Hamilton  County ;  thence  south  on  the 
east  line  of  Hamilton  County  to  the  Ohio  River ;  thence 
down  the  Ohio  River  to  the  place  of  beginning ;  provided, 
that  the  cities  of  Newport  and  Covington,  in  the  State  of 
Kentucky,  and  the  Rockdale  Church,  in  the  State  of  Indiana, 
shall  belong  to  the  Miami  Conference. 

MICHIGAN. 

18.  The  Michigan  Conference  embraces  all  the  State  of 
Michigan. 

MINNESOTA. 

10.  The  Minnesota  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State 
of  Minnesota. 

MISSOURI. 

20.  The  Missouri  Conference  embraces  the  State  of  Mis- 
souri. 


182  DISCIPLINE 

NEOSHO. 

21.  Beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Chautauqua 
County,  Kansas ;  thence  north  to  the  south  line  of  North 
Kansas  Conference ;  thence  due  east  to  the  State  line ; 
thence  to  the  south  line  of  Kansas ;  thence  west  on  the 
south  line  of  Kansas  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

NORTH    KANSAS. 

22.  All  of  the  State  of  Kansas  north  of  an  east  and  west 
line   running  through    Strong  City. 

NORTHERN    ILLINOIS. 

23.  Northern  Illinois  Conference  embraces  all  the  terri- 
tory of  the  State  of  Illinois  north  of  the  line  given  as  the 
northern  boundary  of  the  Lower  Wabash  Conference. 

The  State  line  between  Indiana  and  Illinois  is  hereby 
made  the  boundary  between  all  conferences  in  the  .States  of 
Indiana  and  Illinois,  provided  that  all  territory  which  for- 
merly co-operated  with  Westi^eld  College  stilll  continues 
to  do  so. 

NORTH   NEBRASKA. 

24.  This  conference  embraces  all  that  part  of  the  State 
of  Nebraska  which  lies  east  and  north  of  the  following 
boundary  line,  to  wit :  Beginning  wjth  the  north  line  of 
Town  Twenty-four  in  Nebraska ;  thence  east  on  said  line  to 
the  sources  of  Cedar  River ;  thence  down  said  river  to  Ful- 
lerton ;  thence  south  to  the  Platte  River ;  thence  east  along 
the  Platte  River  to  tke  northwest  corner  of  Douglas  County, 
Nebraska ;  thence  east  along  the  north  boundary  line  of  said 
county  to  the  northeast  corner  of  said  county,  and  all  the 
State  of  South  Dakota. 

NORTH    TEXAS. 

25.  North  Texas  Conference  includes  the  territory  within 
the  following  limits  :  Beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of 
New  Mexico  and  running  east  on  the  line  between  Texas 
and  New  Mexico  and  through  Texas  to  the  one  hundredth 
meridian ;  thence  north  along  this  meridian  across  the  strip 
of  Oklahoma  to  the  Kansas  State  line,  severing  from  the 
Oklahoma  Conference  and  embracing  in  the  Texas  Confer- 
ence the  counties  of  Beaver,  Texas,  and  Cimarron ;  thence 
along   the  southern   line   of   Kansas   west   to   the   northwest 


ANNUAL    CONFERENCE   DISTRICTS  ).So 

corner  of  New  Mexico,  thence  south  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning, El  Paso,  Texas,  however,  also  to  be  included. 

OHIO    GERMAN. 

26.  Ohio  German  Conference  embraces  the  States  of 
Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana,  and  Illinois.  Permission  is  also 
granted  to  go  into  any  of  the  Western  States  or  Territories, 
where  doors  of  usefulness  may  be  open  to  labor  among  the 
German  population. 

OKLAHOMA. 

27.  Oklahoma  Conference  is  made  to  embrace  all  the 
territory  within  the  State  lines  of  Oklahoma,  including  the 
part  lying  east  of  the  Arkansas  River,  which  is  hereby 
detached  from  the  Neosho  Conference,  but  excluding  Beaver, 
Texas,  and  Cimarron  counties,  which  are  hereby  detached 
from  the  Oklahoma   Conference. 

OREGON. 

28.  Oregon  Conference  embraces  in  its  territory  all  the 
States  of  Oregon  and  Washington  not  occupied  by  the 
Columbia  River  Conference. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

29.  Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Juniata  River ;  thence 
along  said  ri\^r  westward  to  the  crest  of  the  Tuscarora 
Mountains ;  thence  southward  along  the  crest  of  said  moun- 
tains to  the  State  of  Maryland ;  thence  westward  along  the 
Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  State  lines  to  the  northwest 
corner  of  Washington  County,  Maryland ;  thence  southward 
along  the  western  boundary  of  said  county  to  the  'Potomac 
River ;  thence  along  said  river  to  the  Chesapeake  Bay ; 
thence  eastward  along  the  coast  to  the  mouth  of  the  Susque- 
hanna River ;  thence  northward  along  said  river  to  the  place 
of  beginning. 

SANDUSKY. 

30.  Beginning  at  Sandusky,  Ohio ;  thence  south  along  the 
Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad  to  Shelby  Junction ;  thence 
south  and  west  along  the  Big  Four  Railroad  to  Delaware 
and  Marysville,  Ohio ;  thence  west  along  the  south  line  of 
Logan  County  to  Sidney,  Ohio ;  thence  west  on  a  straight 
line  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Darke  County,  Ohio ;  thence 
west  to  the  west  line  of  the  State  of  Ohio ;  thence  north 
along  the   State   line   to  the  northwest  corner  of  the  State 


184  DISCIPLINE 

line  of  Ohio ;  thence  east  to  Sandusky,  Ohio,  the  place  of  be- 
ginning. Sidney,  Gallon,  Shelby,  and  Chicago,  Ohio,  to  be- 
long to  the  Sandusky  Conference,  and  Ostrander  and. Union 
to  belong  to  the  Southeast  Ohio  Conference. 

SOUTHWEST   KANSAS. 

32.  Beginning  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Cowell  County, 
Kansas, -and  running  due  north  to  and  including  Strong 
City,  Kansas ;  thence  west  to  the  Colorado  State  line ;  thence 
south  to  the  south  line  of  the  State  of  Kansas ;  thence  east 
along  the  south  line  of  Kansas  to  the  west  line  of  Neosbo 
Conference. 

SOUTHEAST   OHIO. 

32.  Beginning  at  Delaware,  Ohio ;  thence  along  the 
boundary  line  of  East  Ohio  Conference  in  a  southeasterly 
direction  to  Marietta,  Ohio ;  thence  down  the  Ohio  River 
to  the  east  line  of  Hamilton  County,  Ohio ;  thence  to  the 
northwest  corner  of  Clermont  County ;  thence  along  the 
north  line  of  Clermont  County  to  the  east  line  of  Warren 
County,  Ohio ;  thence  northward  on  the  east  line  of  the 
counties  of  Warren,  Greene,  Clarke,  and  Champaign  to  the 
south  line  of  Sandusky  Conference ;  thence  eastward  along 
said  line  to  Delaware,  Ohio,  the  place  of  beginning. 

ST.    JOSEPH. 

33.  St.  Joseph  Conference  embraces  all  territory  north  of 
the  following-described  line ;  Beginning  at  the  southwest 
Corner  of  Warren  County ;  thence  east  on  said  county  line 
to  the  Wabash  River ;  thence  up  said  river  to  the  Tippecanoe 
County  line ;  thence  south  to  the  Montgomery  County  line ; 
thence  east  on  said  county  line  to  Hamilton  County ;  thence 
north  to  Howard  County  ;  thence  east  on  Howard  County 
line  to  Grant  County ;  thence  north  on  Grant  County 
line  to  Wabash  County ;  thence  west  and  north  on  Wabash 
County  line  to  the  Wabash  River ;  thence  along  the  Wabash 
River  to  the  Ohio  State  line.  Howard  Chapel  and  Inde- 
pendence are  to  belong  to  White  River  Conference.  It  here- 
by becomes  legal  successor  to  those  parts  of  the  divided 
Upper  Wabash  Conference  that  lie  within  these  described 
lines. 

VIRGINIA. 

34.  The  Virginia  Conference  embraces  the  State  of  Vir- 
ginia  except   the   counties  of   Lea,    Scott   and   Washington ; 


ANNUAL    COINFERENCE   DISTRICTS  185 

also  that  part  of  West  Virginia  lying  east  of  the  west 
boundary  lines  of  the  counties  of  Grant  and  Pendleton  of 
said  State ;  also,  Allegheny  County,  Maryland,  and  that 
part  of  Garrett  County,  Maryland,  lying  east  of  the  boun- 
dary of  West  Virginia  Conference.  (The  Swan  ton  and 
Bethlehem  churches  to  belong  to  West  Virginia  Conference.) 

WEST   NEBRASKA. 

35.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Hamilton 
County ;  thence  south  to  the  Thayer  County  line ;  thence 
east  six  miles ;  thence  south  to  the  Nebraska  State  line ; 
thence  west  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the  State  of  Ne- 
braska ;  thence  north  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Perkins 
County,  Nebraska ;  thence  west  to  the  west  Nebraska  State 
line ;  thence  east  and  south  along  the  boundary  of  said 
conference  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

WEST  TENNESSEE. 

36.  West  Tennessee  Conference  embraces  all  the  territory 
of  the  State  of  Tennessee  lying  west  of  the  Cumberland 
Mountains. 

WEST  VIRGINIA. 

37.  Beginning  with  the  summit  of  the  Allegheny  Moun- 
tains at  the  line  between  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland ; 
thence  along  the  summit  of  said  mountains  southwest  to 
the  Grant  County  line  ;  thence  along  the  west  line  of  said 
county  to  Pendleton  County ;  thence  along  the  west  line  of 
said  county  to  the  Virginia  State  line ;  thence  along  the 
State  line  to  the  Kentucky  State  line ;  thence  north  to  the 
Ohio  River ;  thence  with  said  river  to  the  Pennsylvania 
State  line ;  thence  east  on  said  line  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning. 

WHITE    RIVER. 

38.  White  River  Conference  consists  of  all  the  territory 
in  the  State  of  Indiana  lying  between  Indiana  Conference 
and   St.    Joseph    Conference,   as   defined   under   those   heads. 

WISCONSIN. 

38.  Wisconsin  Conference  embraces  all  the  State  of  Wis- 
consin. 


186  discipline 

Enabling  Acts. 
By  virtue  of  enabling  acts  the  General  Conference  author- 
ized  the   following   changes   subject   to   the  approval   of   the 
conferences  concerned : 

1.  East  Nebraska,  North  Nebraska,  and  West  Nebraska 
to  unite  and  constitute  a  State-wide  conference  to  be  known 
as  the  Nebraska  Conference,  the  boundary  however  between 
Colorado  Conference  and  Nebraska  Conference  to  be  deter- 
mined by  the  two  conferences. 

2.  The  Lower  Wabash  and  the  Northern  Illinois  confer- 
ences to  form  a  State-wide  conference  to  be  known  as  the 
Illinois  Conference. 

3.  Two  or  more  conferences  in  the  State  of  Kansas  to 
unite. 

4.  The  North  Texas  and  Oklahoma  Conferences  to  trans- 
fer the  counties  of  Cimarron,  Texas  and  Beaver  in  the 
State  of  Oklahoma,  and  within  the  bounds  of  the  North 
Texas  Conference  to  the  Oklahoma  Conference. 

5.  That  two  or  more  conferences  in  the  State  of  Indiana 
unite  into  one  conference. 

6.  That  Orangeville  and  Sharpswell  be  detached  from  Erie 
Conference  and  attached  to  East  Ohio  Conference. 


ANNUAL    CONFERENCE    DISTRICTS  187 


Foreign  Mission  Conferences. 

CHINA. 

The  China  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces  the  ter^ 
ritory  occupied  by  the  United  Brethren  missions  in  Southern 
China,  with  Canton  as  headquarters. 

JAPAN. 

The  Japan  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces  the  ter- 
ritory occupied  by  the  United  Brethren  missions  in  central 
I)ortion  of  Japan,  with  Tokj'o  as  headquarters. 

PHILIPPINES. 

The  Philippine  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces  the 
territory  occupied  by  the  United  Brethren  missions  in 
Union  Province  and  portions  of  adjacent  sub-provinces, 
Philippine  Islands. 

PORTO   RICO. 

The  Porto  Rico  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces  the 
territory  occupied  by  the  United  Bretkren  Church  in  the 
Ponce  District,  Porto  Rico. 

WEST    AFRICA. 

The  West  x\frica  Foreign  Mission  Conference  embraces 
the  territory  occupied  by  the  United  Brethren  missions  in 
Sierra  Leone,  West  Africa. 


PART  VIII. 
Formulas  and  Forms 

CHAPTER  XXYI. 

Formulas. 
Section  I. 

RECEPTION    OF    MEMBERS. 

When  at  aiuj  meeting  there  are  persons  uho  desire  to  unite 
uith    the    Church,    the   officiating    ntinister   shall    call    the 
applicants  foricard  and   address   them   as  follows: 
Dear  Friends  :     Inasmuch  as  you  present  yourselves  for 
admission  into  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
we  rejoice  with  you  that  through  the  grace  of  God  you  have 
been    brought    to   a   knowledge   of   the    truth    and   have   been 
made  partakers  of  his  great  salvation.     The  privileges  you 
seek   are   above  price,   and   the   duties   enjoined   are   solemn. 
It  is  proper  that  you  pablicly  confess  your  faith  and  avow 
your  purpose   by   answering  the  following  questions : 
Questions  to   applicants : 

(1)  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God,  and 
that  therein  only  is  contained  the  knowledge  of  the  way  of 
salvation  ? 

(2)  Do  you  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God 
and   do   you   accept    him   as   your   personal    Savior? 

(3)  Are  you  determined  by  the  grace  of  God  to  follow 
Christ,  renouncing  the  world  and  all  ungodlinei-s,  seeking  to 
lead  a  life  of  holiness  and  devotion  lo  (4od  and  his  cause? 

(4)  Are  you  willing  to  be  governed  by  our  Church  Dis- 
cipline, and  will  you  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  gospel 
as  God  prospers  you? 

(5)  Have  you  been  baptized? 

[If  the  answer  to  this  question  he  in  the  negative,  then 
the  applicant  shall  be  instructed  to  attend  to  the  duty  as 
soon  as  practicable.] 

If  the  persons  answer  the  above  questions  in  the  affirma- 
tive, and  no  lawful  objections  be  made  by  any  member,  then 
the  preacher  shall  give  his  right  hand  to  such  persons  as 
members  of  our  Church.     Then  the  members  of  the  Chui'ch 

188 


FORMULAS  1S9 

will  staud,  and  the  minister  will  repeat  this  covenant  as 
follows : 

"Do  you,  the  members  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ,  enter  into  a  covenant  with  this  applicant  [or 
these  applicants]  for  membership,  and  promise  to  watch 
over,  instruct,  counsel,  and  cherish  him  [or  her  or  them] 
with  all  long-suffering,  gentleness,  and  love?" 

The  Church  will  then  answer,  "By  the  grace  of  God  we 
will."  After  which  the  hand  of  fellowship  may  be  extended. 
The  preacher  shall  then  register  the  names  of  the  accepted 
members  in  the  Church  record. 

Section  II. 

THE  BAPTISM   OF   ADULTS. 

Our  Lord  commanded  his  apostles,  saying,  "Go  ye  there 
fore  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit"  (Matt. 
28:19).  On  the  day  of  Pentecost,  the  multitude,  under 
the  preaching  of  the  word,  "were  pricked  in  the  heart,  and 
said  unto  Peter  and  to  the  rest  of  the  apostles,  Men  and 
brethren,  what  shall  we  do?  Then  Peter  said  unto  them. 
Repent,  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  ye  shall  receive 
the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit"    (Acts  2:37,  38).     " 

"T'hen  they  that  gladly  received  his  word  were  baptized : 
and  the  same  day  there  were  added  unto  them  about  three 
thousand  souls"    (Acts  2:41). 

Philip,  the  evangelist,  went  down  to  the  city  of  Samaria, 
and  preached  Christ  to  the  people.  And  "when  they  believed 
Philip  preaching  the  things  concerning  the  kingdom  of  God, 
and  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  they  were  baptized,  both  men 
and  women"    (Acts  8:12). 

Dearly  beloved,  it  has  pleased  God,  in  his  infinite  mercy, 
to  awaken  you  to  a  sense  of  your  guilt  and  danger,  and  to 
lead  you,  as  we  humbly  trust,  to  repentance  and  faith  in  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  By  presenting  yourself  for  this  holy 
sacrament,  you  declare  your  purpose  to  lead  a  new  life,  and 
to  seek  an  inheritance  with  the  righteous  in  the  "house  not 
made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens." 

Do  you  now  solemnly  consecrate  yourself  to  Christ  and 
his  service ;  and  will  you  endeavor  henceforth  to  keep  God's 
holy  commandments  and   to  walk  in  the  same  all  the  days 


190  DISCIPLINE 

of  your  life?     If  so,- answer,  "I  will  endeavor  so  to  do,  the 
Lord  being  my  helper," 

The  minister  shall  then  'baptize  the  candidate,  the  service  to 
he  concluded  tvith  a  short  prayer  and  benediction. 


Section  III. 

THE    BAPTISM    OF   CHILDREN. 

"And  they  brought  young  children  to  him,  that  he  should 
touch  them :  and  his  disciples  rebuked  those  that  brought 
them.  But  when  Jesus  saw  it,  he  was  much  displeased 
and  said  unto  them,  Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto 
me,  and  forbid  them  not :  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of 
God.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  whosoever  shall  not  receive 
the  kingdom  of  God  as  a  little  child,  he  shall  not  enter 
therein.  And  he  took  them  up  in  his  arms,  put  his  hands 
upon  them,  and  blessed  them"    (Mark  10:13-16). 

In  presenting  this  child  for  baptism,  you  not  only  signify 
your  faith  in  the  Christian  religion,  of  which  baptism  is 
an  ordinance,  but  also  your  desire  that  he  [or  she]  may 
early  know  and  follow^  the  will  of  God,  may  live  and  die 
a  Christian,  and  attain  unto  everlasting  life. 

In  order  to  do  this,  it  will  be  your  duty,  as  parents  [or 
guardians]  to  teach  him  [or  her]  early  the  fear  of  the 
Lord ;  to  watch  over  his  [or  her]  education,  that  he  [or 
she]  be  nob  led  astray ;  to  direct  his  [or  her]  youthful  mind 
to  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  his  [or  her]  feet  to  the  sanctu- 
ary ;  to  restrain  him  [or  her]  from  evil  associates  and 
habits;  and,  as  much  as  in  you  lies,  to  bring  him  [or  her], 
up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

Will  you  endeavor  so  to  do,  by  the  help  of  God?     If  so, 
answer,  "I  will." 
The  minister  shall  then  baptize  the  child,  repeating  the  full 

name  of  the  same,  saying: 

I  baptize  thee  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  Of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 
All  to  be  followed  by  a  short  prayer  by  the  minister. 

Section  IV. 

THE    HOLY    COMMUNION. 

"He  is  despised  and  rejected  of  men ;  a  man  of  sorrows, 
and  acquainted  with  grief :  and  we  hid  as  it  were  our  faces 
from  him  ;  he  was  despised,  and  we  esteemed  him  not.  Sure- 


FORMULAS  •  191 

ly  he  hath  boru  our  griefs,  and  carried  our  sorrows ;  yet 
we  did  esteem  him  stricken,  smitten  of  God.  and  aflBicted. 
But  he  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions,  he  was  bruised 
for  our  iniquities  :  the  chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon 
him;  and  with  his  stripes  we  are  healed"    (Isa.  53:3-5). 

"And  when  the  hour  was  come,  he  sat  down  and  the 
twelve  apostles  with  him.  And  he  said  unto  them,  With 
desire  I  have  desired  to  eat  this  passover  with  you  before 
I  suffer :  for  I  say  unto  you,  I  will  not  any  more  eat  thereof, 
until  it  be  fulfilled  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  And  he  took  the 
cup,  and  gave  thanks,  and  said,  Take  this,  and  divide  it 
among  yourselves  :  for  I  say  unto  you,  I  will  not  drink  of 
the  fruit  of  the  vine,  until  the  kingdom  of  God  shall  come. 
And  he  took  bread,  and  gave  thanks,  and  brake  it,  and  gave 
unto  them,  saying,  Tliis  is  my  body  which  is  given  for  you  : 
this  do  in  remembrance  of  me.  Likewise  also  the  cup  after 
supper,  saying,  This  cup  is  the  new  testament  in  my  blood, 
which  is  shed  for  you"    (Luke  22:14-20). 

"For  I  have  received  of  the  Lord  that  which  also  I  de- 
livered unto  you,  that  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  same  night  in 
which  he  was  betrayed  took  bread  :  and  when  he  had  given 
thanks,  he  brake  it,  and  said.  Take,  eat :  this  is  my  body, 
which  is  broken  for  you :  this  do  in  remembrance  of  me. 
After  the  same  manner  also  he  took  the  cup,  when  he  had 
supped,  saying,  This  cup  is  the  new  testament  in  my 
blood :  this  do  ye,  as  oft  as  ye  drink  is,  in  remembrance  of 
me.  For  as  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup, 
ye  do  shew  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come"  (I.  Cor  11: 
23-26). 

As  many  of  j'ou  as  truly  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  are 
now  invited  to  draw  near,  and  humbly  receive  these  elements 
in  memory  of  the  suffering  and  death  of  your  Loi;d  and 
Savior. 

Singing. 

Prayer. 

Administration  of  the  elements. 

Section  V. 

Ordination  of  Elders. 

[On  the  day  appointed  for  ordination  services  a  suitable  ser- 
mon shall  be  preached,  whenever  practicable.  The  offiiciatinj^ 
bishop  (or  elder  in  the  absence  of  a  bishop)  shall  call,  if  they 
be  present,  one  or  more  elders  to  assist  him  in  the  ceremonies 
of  ordination.] 


192  DISCIPLINE 

1.       ADDRESS    TO   THE    CANDIDATES. 

After  the  names  of  the  candidates  have  leeii  read  aloud, 
the  hishop  (or  elder)  shall  address  them  as  follows: 
An  elder  "must  be  blameless,  as  the  steward  of  God  ;  not 
selfwilled,  not  soon  angry,  not  given  to  wine,  no  striker, 
not  given  to  filthy  lucre ;  but  a  lover  of  hospitality,  a  lover 
of  good  men,  sober,  just,  holy,  temperate ;  holding  fast  the 
faithful  word  as  he  hath  been  taught,  that  he  may  be  able 
by  sound  doctrine  both  to  exhort  and  to  convince  the  gain- 
sayers"    (Tit.  1:  7-9). 

Are  you  assured  that  you  are  inwardly  moved  by  the 
Holy  Ghost  to  take  upon  you  the  office  of  the  ministry  to 
serve  God  in  the  church  of  Christ  to  the  honor  and  glory  of 
his  holy  name?     If  so,  answer,  "I  trust  I  am." 

Do  you  believe  the  Holy  Scriptures,  Old  and  New  Tes- 
taments?    If  so,  answer.  "I  do  believe  them." 

Will  you  apply  due  diligence  to  frame  and  fashion  your 
life  according  to  the  doctrines  of  Christ,  and  to  make  your- 
self, as  much  as  in  you  lies,  a  wholesome  example  to  the 
flock  of  Christ?  If  so,  answer,  "I  will,  the  Lord  being  my 
helper." 

Will  you  loyally  maintain  the  doctrines  and  polity  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  and  devote  your- 
self with  all  possible  zeal  and  faithfulness  to  the  extension 
of  the  Master's  kingdom  in  whatever  field  you  may  be  as- 
signed from  time  to  time  in  the  ministerial  sendee?  If  so, 
answer,  "I  will  endeavor,  through  the  grace  of  God.  to  do 
so." 


2.       PRAYER. 

By  the  officiating  hishop. 

3.       CHARGE    TO    THE    CANDIDATES. 

After  the  prayer  the  hishop  and  elders  shall  lay  their  hands 
upon  the  heads  of  each  of  them,  and  the  'bishop  shall  say: 
Take    thou    authority    to    execute    the    office    of    an    elder 

in  the  church  of  God,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,   and   of 

the  Son,   and  of  the  Holy   Spirit.     Amen. 

Hereupon  the  hishop  or  elder  shall  deliver  to  each  of  them 
the  Holy  Bible  saying: 
Take  thou   authority  to  preach  the  word  of  God   and   to 

administer  the  ordinances  in   the  church  of  Christ. 


FORMULAS  103 

4.      PRAYER. 

By  the  hishop  or  one  of  the  elders. 

5.      SCRIPTURE   ADMONITION. 

After  the  prayer  the  Vishop  shall  read  LuJce  12:35-38. 

"Let  your  loins  be  girded  about,  and  your  lights  burn- 
ing ;  and  ye  yourselves  like  unto  men  that  wait  for  their 
lord,  when  he  will  return  from  the  wedding ;  that  when  he 
Cometh  and  knocketh,  they  may  open  unto  him  immediately. 
Blessed  are  those  servants  whbm  the  lord  when  he  cometh 
shall  find  watching;  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  he  shall 
gird  himself,  and  make  them  to  sit  down  to  meat,  and  will 
come  forth  and  serve  them.  And  if  he  shall  come  in  the 
second  watch,  or  come  in  the  third  watch,  and  find  them 
so,  blessed  are  those  servants."' 

6,      BENEDICTION. 

The  following  tenediction  is  to  he  pronounced: 

The  peace  of  God  keep  your  hearts  and  minds  in  the 
knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

Section  VI. 

HOMk     MISSION     consecration     SERVICE     AND    PROGRAM. 

Dearly  Beloved  :  You  have  been  appointed  as  mission- 
ary   to   and   are    commissioned    to    carry    the 

bread  of  eternal  life  to  souls  who  will  perish  without  it. 

Listen  to  the  word  of  the  Lord  (Acts  2:21),  "And  it 
shall  come  to  pass,  that  whosoever  shall  call  on  the  name  of 
the  Lord  shall  he  saved."  Romans  10 :  14,  15,  "How  then 
shall  they  call  on  him  in  whom  they  have  not  believed?  and 
how  shall  they  believe  in  him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard  V 
and  how  shall  they  hear  without  a  preacher?  and  how  shall 
they  preach  except  they  be  sent?" 

We  believe  that  under  the  direction  of  the  Lord  the  Home 
Missionary  Society  is  about  to  send  you  out  to  preach  the 
living  Word  to  perishing  souls. 

Question.  Have  you  a  deep,  abiding  love  for,  and  an 
absorbing  interest  in  the  salvation  of  souls?  and  have  you 
felt  especially  called  of  God  to  this  work?  If  so,  answer: 
"I  trust  I  have." 

God's  Word  says  (Acts  26:16):  "But  arise  and  stand 
upon  thy  feet :  for  I  have  appeared  unto  thee  for  this  pur- 
pose, to  make  thee  a  minister  and  a  witness  both  of  these 


194  DISCIPLINE 

things  which  thou  hast  seen,  and  of  those  things  in  the 
which  I  will  appear  unto  thee."  (Acts  1:8):  "Ye  shall  be 
witnesses  unto  me  both  in  Jerusalem,  and  in  all  Judea,  and 
in  Samaria,  and  unto  the  uttermost  part  of  the  earth." 
Acts  26 :  18 :  "To  open  their  eyes,  and  to  turn  them  from 
darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God, 
that  they  may  receive  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  inheritance 
among  them  which  are  sanctified  by  faith  that  is  in  me." 

Question.  Are  you  willing  to  work  under  the  direction  of 
the  Home  Missionary  Society  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  and  will  you  devote  your  time  and  energy  to  this 
work  to  which  they  have  appointed  you?  If  so,  answer/ "I 
will,   the  Lord  being  my  helper." 

It  is  God's  will  (Luke  24:47,  48)  "that  repentance  and 
remission  of  sins  should  be  preached  in  his  name  among  all 
nations,  beginning  at  Jerusalem.  And  ye  are  witnesses  ot 
these  things." 

Question.  Do  you  then  publicly  dedicate  yourself  to  God 
and  his  work,  who  has  said  if  you  will  "go,"  "Lo,  I  am 
with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world"?  If  so, 
answer,  "I  do." 

PROVISIONAL    PROGRAM. 

(To  be  used  in  connection  with  above  service.) 
1.     Song. 


2. 

Scripture.      II.    Timothy,   4  :  1-8. 

3. 

Song. 

4. 

Explanatory   Remarks. 

5. 

Remarks   by   Candidates. 

6. 

Song. 

7. 

Charge  to  Candidates. 

8. 

Reading   of   Consecration    Service. 

9. 

Consecratory  Prayer. 

10. 

Song. 

11. 

Benediction. 

Section  VII. 

FOREIGN     MISSIONARY    CONSECRATION     AND    COMMISSION 

SERVICE. 

(Suggested  Program.) 

1.  Song. 

2.  Scripture  lesson.     Romans  10  :  12-15  ;  Acts  26  :  16-20, 
and  13 :  47-49. 


FORMULAS  195 

3.  Prayer. 

4.  Song. 

5.  Introductory  Words. 

6.  Remarks  by  the  Candidates. 

7.  Song. 

8.  Charge  to  the  Candidates. 

COMMISSION    AND    CONSECRATION    SERVICE. 

9.  The  representative  of  the  Board  shall  then  address 
the  candidates  as  follows : 

"And  Jesus  came  and  spake  unto  them,  saying,  All  power 
is  given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  in  earth.  Go  ye  therefore, 
and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  teaching 
them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have  commanded 
you :  and,  lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  unt#  the  end  of 
the  world."     Matt.  28  :  18-20. 

You  have  listened  to  the  command  which  Christ  gave  to 
his  first  disciples  and  which  constitutes  his  church  a  mis- 
sionary church  in  all  ages.  You  believe  that  this  command 
applies  to  all  followers  of  Christ  to-day,  and  that  it  is  in- 
cumbent upon  them,  in  so  far  as  may  be  possible,  to  devote 
their  lives  to  the  extension  of  his  kingdom  in  the  earth. 
Earnestly  seeking  to  obey  this  command,  you  are  convinced 
that  it  is  your  duty  and  privilege  to  engage  in  the  service  of 
Christ  in  a  foreign  land.  You  have  heard  the  call  of  God 
sounding  in  the  depths  of  your  own  soul  and  summoning 
you  to  this  high  endeavor.  This  call  you  have  found  to  be 
confirmed  by  the  circumstances  of  your  life,  the  opinion  of 
your  friends,  and  the  judgment  of  this  Board.  In  recogni- 
tion of  these  facts,  and  following,  as  we  believe,  the  leader- 
ship of  the  Holy  Spirit,  we  desire  to  set  you  apart  to  the 
work  of  a  foreign  missionary,  to  witness  for  Christ  in  non- 
Christian  lands,  and  to  bestow  upon  you  the  commission  of 
the  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 

Question.  Have  you  a  deep  love  for  souls,  and  a  strong 
passion  for  their  salvation,  and  have  you  felt  especially 
called  of  God  to  missionary  work?  If  so,  answer,  "I  trust 
I  have." 

Question.  Do  you  give  yourself  unreservedly  to  the  work 
of  Christ  in  the  land  to  w^hich  you  have  been  assigned?     in 


196  DISCIPLINE 

humble  reliance  upon  the  divine  help,  do  you  make  it  the 
purpose  of  your  life  to  walk  with  Christ  as  his  missionary, 
faithful  in  word  and  deed,  and  in  hearty  co-operation  with 
your  fellow-workers,  under  the  direction  of  this  Board?  If 
so.  answer,  "I  do." 

I,  then,  by  virtue  of  the  authority  bestowed  upon  me  by 
the  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  do  present  j^ou  with  this  commission :  * 

The  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Dayton  Ohio,  U.  S.  A. 
7'o  All  to   Whom   This  Shall  Gome,   Christian   Greetings. 

This    certifies    that 

is  appointed  a  missionary  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  our 

Lord,  to under  the  direction 

and  regulAions  of  THE  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SO- 
CIETY of  the  UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST,  and  is 
entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  privileges  attaching  to  that 
office. 

Given  this day  of ,  19.  . . . 


President  of  Board. 

Chairman   of   Executive   Committee. 

General  Secretary. 


"Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature." 

10.  Prayer  of  Consecration. 

11.  Song. 

12.  Benediction. 


Section  VIII. 

THE    CONSECRATION    OF    A    DEACONESS. 

After  a  suitable  religious  introductory  service  has  been 
held,  the  officiating  bishop  (or  elder  in  the  absence  of  the 
bishop),  may  call  other  elders,  if  they  be  present,  to  assist 
in  the  consecration  service. 

To   1)6  read  hij  the  officiating  bishop: 

There  were  deaconesses  as  well  as  deacons  in  the  apostolic 
church.      This   is   evident  from   the   words   of   Paul    to   the 


•  FORMULAS  107 

Christians  at  Rome  (Rom.  1G:1)  :  "I  commend  nnto  you 
Phebe,  our  sister,  who  is  a  deaconess  [according  to  the 
marginal  reading  of  the  Revised  Version]  of  the  church  that 
is  at  Cenchrea."  In  the  same  chapter  the  apostle  salutes 
Priscilla,  Mary,  Tryphsena,  and  Tryphosa  as  those  "who 
labor  in  the  Lord." 

In  Paul's  first  letter  to  Timothy  (I.  Tim.  3:11)  he  di- 
rected that  deaconesses  should  be  "grave,  not  slanderers' 
temperate,  faithful  in  all  things." 

In  the  church,  immediately  succeeding  the  time  of  the 
apostles,  we  have  historical  evidence  of  the  order  of  deacon- 
esses. Pliny,  writing  in  the  early  part  of  the  second  cen- 
tury, mentioned  the  presence  and  work  of  deaconesses  in  the 
churches  of  Bithynia. 

Tlie  duties,  of  a  deaconess  in  the  early  Christian  church 
were  substantially  the  same  as  those  of  a  deacon.  Their 
work  was  a  high  and  holy  calling,  requiring  sacrificial  and 
unselfish  service.  In  no  case  was  it  sought  except  for  the 
love  of  Christ  and  humanity. 

We  believe  that  the  aim  and  purpose  of  a  deaconess  to-day 
should  be  to  minister  as  Jesus  did  to  the  wants  of  a  sin- 
laden  and  suffering  world.  She  should  visit  the  sick,  pray 
with  the  dying,  relieve  the  poor,  care  for  the  orphans,  coun- 
sel sinners  to  seek  the  Savior,  and  perform  such  other 
Christlike  services  as  may  be  needed. 

Because  of  the  sacredness  of  the  work  of  a  deaconess,  only 
such  as  feel  specially  led  by  the  Spirit  and  the  providence  of 
God  should  enter  upon  it.  It  is  proper  that  all  persons, 
having  received  the  divine  call,  and  having  been  tested  and 
trained  during  a  reasonable  period  of  time,  should  be  sol- 
emnly set  apart  to  this  holy  vocation  in  the  Church. 

Therefore,  in  harmony  with  what  we  believe  to  be  the 
spirit  and  intent  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  in  accordance 
with  the  usages  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  we  proceed  in  solemn  manner  to  consecrate  to  the 
work  of  a   deaconess   sister 

The  following  question  should  he  asked: 

My  dear  sister,  do  pou  assume  the  duties  of  a  deaconess  in 
the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  and  do  you 
agree  to  perform  faithfully  those  duties  which  are  prescribed 
in  our  Book  of  Discipline?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Prayer  of  consecration. 

Delivery  of  certificate. 


19S  DISCIPLINE  * 

Song,  '^Take  my  life  and  let  it  6e." 
Benedictory  prayer. 

Section  IX. 

LAYING    CORNER-STONE. 

The  oifiQiating  minister  shall  say: 

Beloved  :  In  ancient  time  God  commanded  his  servant 
Moses  to  set  up  the  tabernacle  in  the  wilderness,  and  be- 
stowed his  blessing  upon  Solomon,  the  king,  in  erecting  the 
temple  in  Jerusalem,  whither  the  tribes  came  up  to  worship. 
In  like  manner  he  has  moved  your  hearts  to  erect  a  sanctu- 
ary, where,  in  years  to  come,  his  people  may  assemble  for 
prayer  and  praise.  We  have  met  together  at  this  time  to 
lay  the  corner-stone  with  proper  religious  services. 
The  following  order  of  services  may  then  fee-  observed: 

1.  Singing. 

2.  Reading  of  Scripture.      (Ps.  132;  I.  Cor.  3:8-23.) 

3.  Prayer. 
1^     Singing. 

5.  Sermon  or  address. 

6.  Collection. 

7.  Laying  of  stone. 

The  minister,  standing  hy  the  stone,  shall  exhihit  the  box  to 
he  deposited,  and  read  the  list  of  contents.  Then  the 
minister,  assisted  by  the  builder,  shall  deposit  the  box  and 
adjust  the  stone  to  its  resting  place.  This  done,  the  min- 
ister shall  strike  the  stone  thrice  ivith  a  trowel,  or  ham- 
mer, and  say: 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  we  lay  this  corner-stone  in  the  foundation  of 
a  house  to  be  erected  and  dedicated  for  the  worship  of  God, 
wherein  his  word  shall  be  preached  and  his  worship  main- 
tained.    Amen. 

8.  Singing. 

9.  Benediction. 

Section  X. 

CHURCH   dedication. 

The  following  order  of  service  may  be  used: 

1.  Scripture  Reading.     (Ps.  84;  or,  Isa.  62  and  Ps.  122.) 

2.  Singing. 

3.  Prayer. 
J/.     Singing. 
5.     Sermon. 


'   FORMULAS  191) 

6.  Offering. 

7.  Singing. 

8.  Scripture  reading,  with  congregation  standing. 

"But  will  God  indeed  dwell  on  the  earth?  behold,  the 
heaven,  and  heaven  of  heavens,  cannot  contain  thee  ;  how 
much  less  this  house  that  I  have  builded?  Yet  have  thou 
respect  unto  the  praj^er  of  thy  servant,  and  to  his  supplica- 
tion, O  Lord  my  God,  to  hearken  unto  the  cry  and  unto  the 
prayer  which  thy  servant  prayeth  before  thee  to-day  :  that 
thine  eyes  may  be  opened  toward  this  house  night  and  day, 
even  toward  the  place  of  which  thou  hast  said,  My  name 
shall  be  there :  that  thou  mayest  hearken  unto  the  prayer 
which  thy  servant  shall  make  toward  this  place.  And 
hearken  thou  to  the  supplication  of  thy  servant,  and  of  thy 
people  Irsael,  when  they  shall  pray  toward  this  place  :  and 
hear  thou  in  heaven  thy  dwelling  place :  and  when  thou 
hearest,  forgive. 

"If  any  man  trespass  against  his  neighbor,  and  an  oath 
be  laid  upon  him  to  cause  him  to  swear,  and  the  oath 
come  before  thine  altar  in  this  house :  then  hear  thou  in 
heaven,  and  do,  and  judge  thy  servants,  condemning  the 
wicked,  to  bring  his  way  upon  his  head ;  and  justifying  the 
righteous,  to  give  him  according  to  his  righteousness. 

"When  thy  people  Israel  be  smitten  down  before  the  en- 
emy, because  they  have  sinned  against  thee,  and  shall  turn 
again  to  thee,  and  confess  thy  name,  and  pray,  and  make 
supplication  unto  thee  in  this  house :  then  hear  thou  in 
heaven  and  forgive  the  sin  of  thy  people  Israel,  and  bring 
them  again  unto  the  land  which  thou  gavest  unto  their 
fathers. 

"When  heaven  is  shut  up,  and  there  is  no  rain,  because 
they  have  sinned  against  thee ;  if  they  pray  toward  this 
place,  and  confess  thy  name,  and  turn  from  their  sin,  when 
thou  afflictest  them  :  then  hear  thou  in  heaven,  and  forgive 
the  sin  of  thy  servants,  and  of  thy  people  Israel,  that  thou 
teach  them  the  good  way  wherein  they  should  walk,  and 
give  rain  upon  thy  land,  which  thou  hast  given  to  thy 
people  for  an  inheritance. 

"If  there  be  in  the  land  famine,  if  there  be  pestilence, 
blasting,  mildew,  locust,  or  if  there  be  caterpiller ;  if  their 
enemy  besiege  them  in  the  land  of  their  cities ;  whatsoever 
plague,  whatsoever  sickness  there  be ;  what  prayer  and  sup- 
plication soever  be  made  by  any  man,  or  by  all  thy  people 
Israel,  which  shall  know  every  man  the  plague  of  his  own 


200  DISCIPLINE 

heart,  and  spread  forth  his  hands  toward  this  house :  then 
hear  thou  in  heaven  thy  dwelling  place,  and  forgive,  and 
do,  and  give  to  every  man  according  to  his  ways,  whose 
heart  thou  knowest :  (for  thou,  even  thou  only,  knowest  the 
hearts  of  all  the  children  qf  men ; )  that  they  may  fear 
thee  all  the  days  that  they  live  in  the  land  which  thou 
gavest  unto  our  fathers. 

"Moreover,  concerning  a  stranger  that  is  not  of  thy  people 
Israel,  but  cometh  out  of  a  far  country  for  thy  name's  sake  ; 
(for  they  shall  hear  of  thy  great  name,  and  of  thy  strong 
hand,  and  of  thy  stretched  out  arm  ; )  when  he  shall  come 
and  pray  toward  this  house  :  hear  thou  in  heaven  thy  dwell- 
ing place,  and  do  according  to  all  that  the  stranger  calleth 
to  thee  for :  that  all  thy  people  of  the  earth  may  know  thy 
name,  to  fear  thee,  as  do  thy  people  Israel ;  and  that  they 
may  know  that  this  house,  which  I  have  builded,  is  called 
by   thy   name*'    (I.   Kings  8:27-43). 

"We  will  go  into  his  tabernacles  :  we  will  worship  at  his 
footstool"    (Ps.  132:  7). 

"For  the  Lord  hath  chosen  Zion  ;  he  hath  desired  it  for 
his  habitation.  This  is  my  rest  forever :  here  will  I  dwell ; 
for  I  have  desired  it.  I  will  abundantly  bless  her  provision  ; 
I  will  satisfy  her  poor  with  bread.  I  will  also  clothe  her 
priests  with  salvation :  and  her  saints  shall  shout  aloud 
for  joy"   (Ps.  132:13-16). 

"Xow,  my  God,  let,  I  beseech  thee,  thine  eyes  be  open, 
and  let  thine  ears  be  attent  unto  the  prayer  that  is  made 
in  this  place.  Now  therefore  arise,  O  Lord  God,  into  thy 
resting  place,  thou,  and  the  ark  of  thy  strength :  let  thy 
priests,  O  Lord  God,  be  clothed  v/ith  salvation,  and  let  thy 
saints  rejoice  in  goodness"   (II.  Chr.  6:40,  41). 

"Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting :  and  let  all  the  people  say,  Amen.  Praise  ye 
the  Lord"    (Ps.  106:48). 

9.     Dedicatory  Prayer. 

And  now.  Lord  God  of  our  fathers,  we  give  this  house  to 
thee.  As  thy  people  have  builded  it  for  thy  worship  and 
glory,  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  accept  it  in  the  name  of  thy 
Son  our  Savior,  and  manifest  thyself  approvingly  to  all  who 
have  given  to  this  work  a  sincere  desire  to  honor  thee 
and  to  save  men.  As  thou  didst  dwell  in  the  temple  at 
Jerusalem,  so  make  this  thy  resting  place.  Show  forth  thy 
power  and  glory  here  from  time  to  time  in  the  salvation  of 
sinners,   and   in   the   edification   of   thy   people.      When    thy 


FORMULAS  201 

servants  preach  the  word  in  this  house,  be  thou  in  them, 
and  accompany  the  truth  by  thy  Holy  Spirit,  to  the  hearts 
of  all  who  shall  hear.  And  when  thy  people  meet  in  this 
place  for  prayer  and  praise,  reveal  thyself  graciously  to  their 
faith,  and  vouchsafe  unto  them  the  joys  of  thy  great  salva- 
tion. Preserve  this  house,  we  beseech  thee,  from  fire  and 
storm,  and  make  it  a  very  great  blessing  to  as  many  as  shall 
worship  before  thine  altar.  May  the  people  remember  that 
this  is  thy  house — the  place  where  thy  honor  dwelleth — ^and 
approach  it  with  reverence  and  gladness.  And  not  only 
accept  this  house,  but  accept  also  our  hearts  as  we  dedicate 
them  anew  to  thee.  Cleanse  them  and  make  them  fit  temples 
for  the  indwelling  of  thy  Spii'it,  Accept,  we  pray  thee,  all 
we  bring  in  this  hour  of  consecration,  sealing  it  with  thine 
own  approval.  And  at  last  gather  us  all  into  that  eternal 
temple  not  made  with  hands,  and  thy  name,  the  Father,  the 
Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  worthy  and  glorious,  shall  have 
all  the  praise  evermore.     Amen. 

10.  Address  to  the  trustees  at  the  dedication  of  a  church, 
the  trustees  standing  in  front  of  the  altar. 

Beethren  :  You  have  been  selected  by  the  church  to  hold 
the  honorable  and  responsible  place  of  trustees  of  this  house 
of  worship,  now  dedicated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God. 
In  this  office  you  represent  the  church,  and  will  act  on  its 
behalf  and  for  its  w^elfare,  but  in  no  sense  forget  the  in- 
terests of  the  community  which  are  identified  with  the  house 
of  God. 

It  is  your  duty  to  protect,  and  to  improve  or  repair  this 
building  and  grounds  as  occasion  may  arise :  also,  to  pro- 
vide suitable  fuel,  and,  further  to  employ  a  janitor,  who  shall 
open  and  close  the  house  for  all  appointed  services,  keeping 
it  properly  warmed  during  the  cold  weather,  correctly  ven- 
tilated at  all  times,  and  always  clean  and  inviting,  as  be- 
comes the  house  of  God. 

The  house  of  God  is  sacred ;  it  is  God's  holy  temple,  where 
he  is  to  be  worshiped  in  the  beauty  of  holiness  and  love ; 
therefore,  do  nothing  in  vainglory,  but  by  love  serve  one 
another.  Nothing  should  enter  this  sacred  place  that  will 
defile  the  temple  of  God ;  but  at  the  same  time  let  it  ever 
be  remembered  that  all  works  of  justice,  of  mercy,  of  love, 
of  h'lp fulness  of  whatsoever  kinds  are  proper  in  the  house 
of  G)d.  Anything  that  will  edify  men  will  glorify  God,  and 
should  not  be  foreign  to  this  house. 


202  DISCIPLINE 

You  are  only  a  part  of  the  persons  interested  in  this 
property ;  secure  the  good  will  and  co-operation  of  all  of 
them,  so  far  as  possible,  in  all  your  plans.  You  hold  your 
oflBce  at  the  option  of  the  quarterly  conference ;  therefore, 
seek  its  counsel  in  all  important  matters.  You  are  the  assist- 
ants of  the  pastor ;  honor  and  aid  him  in  all  the  work  ot 
the  church. 

I  now  give  this  key  to  the  president  of  the  board  as  the 
symbol  of  your  authority.  I  pray  that  Christian  faith  and 
hope  and  love  may  dwell  in  your  hearts,  and  that  the  Holy 
Spirit  may  be  your  guide  and  comforter. 

11.  Delivery  of  the  keys  in  the  name  of  the  Trinity  to 
hold  in  trust  for  God  and  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

12.  Doxology. 

13.  Benediction. 


Section  XI. 
Parsonage  Dedication. 
The  following  order  of  service  may   be  used: 

1.  Scripture  Reading. 

2.  Singing. 

3.  Prayer. 
4-  Singing. 

5.  Sermon. 

6.  Offering. 

7.  Singing. 

8.  Scripture  reading  with  congregation  standing. 

It  pleased  God  in  ancient  times  when  he  gave  his  chosen 
people  a  sanctuary  modeled  and  dedicated  after  his  own 
counsel,  to  also  provide  a  ministry  of  service  that  the  fires 
might  be  kept  burning  and  that  his  name  might  be  honored 
throughout  the  generations. 

He  also  set  apart  a  certain  tribe  and  a  certain  family, 
distinctly  chosen  to  perpetuate,  in  purity  the  service  of  His 
Sanctuary. 

And  His  chosen  tribe  and  family  were  provided  with 
material  support  and  permanent  provision  for  their  use  as 
servants  of  His  and  homes  dedicated  for  this  purpose. 

Our  Savior  also  provided  a  Gospel  ministry  to  perpetuate 
his  word  and  fill  the  world  with  the  Gospel  of  the  Kingdom. 
He  likewise  provided  for  their  support  in  the  statement : 
"They  that  preach  the  Gospel  shall  live  by  the  Gospel."     In 


FORMULAS  203 

accordance  with  this  provision  our  parsonages  are  dedicated 
to  God  as  property  of  the  church  thus  providing  homes  for 
those  "who  proclaim  the  will  of  God  to  the  people  and  preach 
the  Gospel  of  Salvation  to  the  multitudes. 

This  house  has  been  built  and  this  property  set  apart  as 
the  home  of  the  prophet  by  the  offerings  of  the  people  and 
we  now  bring  it  as  an  offering  unto  God,  in  the  name  of  the 
Father  and  of  the   Son  and  of  the  Holy   Spirit. 

9.  Dedicatory  prayer. 

And  now  Lord  God  of  our  Fathers,  we  give  this  house  to 
Thee.  As  thy  people  have  builded  it  to  Thy  Glory,  we  pray 
that  Thou  wilt  accept  it  in  the  name  of  thy  Son,  our  Sav- 
ior, and  manifest  thyself  approvingly  to  all  that  have  given 
to.  this  work  with  a  sincere  desire  to  honor  thee.  Show 
forth  thy  power  and  glory  in  the  salvation  of  sinners  and 
in  the  edification  of  thy  people.  When  thy  servants  preach 
the  word  be  thou  in  them  and  accompany  the  truth  by  thy 
Holy  Spirit  to  the  hearts  of  all  that  shall  hear.  Preserve 
this  house,  we  beseech  thee,  from  fire  and  storm  and  make 
it  a  very  great  blessing.  And  not  only  accept  this  house 
but  accept  also  our  hearts  as  we  dedicate  them  anew  to  thee. 
Cleanse  them  and  make  them  fit  temples  for  the  indwelling 
of  thy  Spirit.  Accept,  we  pray  thee,  all  we  bring  in  this 
hour  of  consecration,  sealing  it  with  thine  own  approval. 
And  at  last  gather  us  all  into  that  eternal  temple  not  made 
with  hands,  and  thy  name,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the 
Holy  Spirit,  worthy  and  glorious,  shall  have  all  the  praise 
evermore.     Amen. 

10.  Address  to  the  trustees  at  the  dedication  of  a  par- 
sonage. 

Brethren  :  You  have  been  selected  by  the  church  to  hold 
the  honorable  and  responsible  place  of  trustees  of  this 
house,  now  dedicated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God.  In 
this  office  you  represent  the  church,  and  will  act  on  its 
behalf  and  for  its  welfare,  but  in  no  sense  forget  the  inter- 
ests of  the  community  which  are  identified  with  this  house. 

It  is  y6ur  duty  to  protect,  and  to  improve  or  repair  this 
building  and  grounds  as  occasion  may  arise.  You  hold  your 
ofiice  at  the  option  of  the  quarterly  conference :  therefore 
seek  its  counsel  in  all  important  matters. 

I  now  give  this  key  to  the  president  of  the  board  as  the 
symbol  of  your  authority.     I  pray  that  Christian  faith  and 


204  DISCIPLINE 

hope  and  love  may  dwell  in  your  hearts,  and  that  the  holy 
spirit   may   be   your  guide   and  comforter. 

11.  Delivery  of  the  keys  in  the  name  of  the  Trinity  to 
hold  in  trust  for  God  and  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

12.  Doxology. 
IS.     Benediction. 

Section  XII. 

THE   MARRIAGE   CEREMONY. 

The  minister  shall  say: 

We  have  gathered  together  in  the  sight  of  God  and  in  the 
presence  of  these  withnesses  to  join  together  N.  and  M.  as 
husband  and  wife. 

If  any  person  present  knows  any  good  reason  why  these 
persons  should  not  thus  be  united  in  marriage  let  the  same 
now  speak  or  forever  after  keep  silent. 

No  such  reason  heing  given  the  minister  shall  then  say, 
addressing  the  man  and  woman  jointly: 

Do  you  and  each  of  you  covenant  yourselves  together  in 
the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony  to  live  together  after  God's 
Ordinance  as  husband  and  wife  so  long  as  you  both  shall 
live?     If  so,  answer  "I  do." 

The  minister  shall  then  join  their  right  hands  and  plac- 
ing his  right  hand  upon  theirs,  shall  say: 

Those  whom  God  hath  joined  together,  let  no  man  put 
asunder.  Insomuch  as  you  have  consented  together  in 
marriage,  and  have  declared  the  same  before  God  and  in 
the  presence  of  these  witnesses,  I  pronounce  you  husband 
and  wife,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 

Followed  hy  a  brief  prayer. 

Section  XIII. 

marriage    CEREMONY    WITH    RING. 

The  minister  shall  say: 

Dearly  beloved,  we  are  here  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  in 
the  presence  of  these  witnesses,  to  unite  together  these  two 
persons  in  holy  marriage.  They  have  passed  satisfactorily 
the  tests  and  requirements  of  the  family,  of  the  state,  and  of 
the  church,  and  now  stand  unchallenged  in  this  presence  to 
be  admitted  into  the  holy  state  commanded  by  the  Word 
of  God,  to  be  had  in  honor  among  all  men. 


FORMULAS  205 

It  is  becoming  that  this  marriage  relation  be  entered  into 
discreetly,  reverently,  advisedly,  soberly,  and  in  the  fear  of 
God.  I,  therefore,  a  minister  of  the  blessed  gospel,  entreat 
you  both  to  seek  the  help  of  God  in  this  moment  and  in  all 
your  privileges  and  duties,  that  his  love  and  grace  may 
make  your  union  fruitful  of  comfort  and  usefulness,  and  a 
furtherance  of  your  salvation  and  everlasting  life. 
To  the  man: 

Do  you  take  this  woman  before  God  and  these  witnesses 
to  be  your  wife?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Do  you  promise  to  love  and  honor  her,  defend,  support, 
and  comfort  her,  in  health  and  in  sickness,  in  joy  and  in 
sorrow,  in  prosperity  and  adversity?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Will  you  be  faithful  to  her  in  all  things,  and  endeavor 
to  be  a  good  husband  to  her  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live? 
If  so,  answer,  "I  will." 

To   the  IV Oman: 

Do  you  take  this  man,  before  God  and  these  witnesses, 
to  be  your  husband?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Do  you  promise  to  love,  honor,  and  comfort  him,  in  joy 
and  in  sorrow,  in  health  and  in  sickness,  in  prosperity  and 
adversity?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Will  you  be  faithful  to  him  in  all  things,  and  endeavor  to 
be  a  good  wife  to  him  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live?  If 
so,   answer,   "I   will." 

What  token  and  pledge  do  you  offer  that  you  will  faith- 
fully perform  these  covenant  vows? 

The  man  shows  the  ring,  holding  it  in  his  right  hand,  and 

answers: 

This  ring. 
The  minister  sliall  say  to  the  woman: 

Do  you  accept  this  ring  in  token  of  the  same  covenant 
upon  your  part?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Then  the  man,   the  tninister  guiding   his  right  hand,   shall 
place  the  ring  on  the  third  finger  of  her  left  hand,  and 
the  minister  shall  say:- 
Let  us  pray. 

He  may  offer  an  extempore  prayer,  or  use  the  following: 

Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven,  thoti  hast  recorded  the 
promises  of  these  thy  servants  now  made  to  each  other. 
We  entreat  thee  to  unite  their  hearts  and  lives  in  the  bond 
of  a  true  and  abiding  affection,  that  they  may  share  all 
the    blessings    of    a    happy    marriage.      May    their    lives    be 


206  DISCIPLINE 

preserved  from  evil,  and  their  love  know  no  doubt,  but  grow 
in  purity  and  sweetness  with  the  number  of  their  years.  Be- 
stow upon  them  the  Holy  Spirit  and  true  heavenly  wisdom, 
that  they  may  be  preserved  from  all  things  which  have  a 
tendency  to  diminish  the  happiness  of  this  holy  estate. 
Enable  them  bV  thy  grace  to  live  together  according  to  thy 
holy  will,  and  may  they  at  last  enter  into  eternal  life  and 
fellowship  with  thy  saints  in  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 

Then   shall   the   minister   request   them   to   join   their   right 

hands;  The  minister,   laying  his  right  hand  upon  theirs, 

shall  say  to  them: 

Inasmuch  as  you  have  covenanted  together  in  these  sacred 
bonds,  and  have  witnessed  the  same  by  this  token,  I  pro^ 
nounce  you  husband  and  wife,  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 

What  therefore  God  hath  joined  together  let  no  man  put 
asunder. 

"The  Lord  bless  thee,  and  keep  thee :  the  Lord  make  his 
face  shine  upon  thee,  and  be  gracious  unto  thee :  the  Lord 
lift  up  his  countenance  upon  thee,  and  give  thee  peace." 
Amen. 

Section  XIV. 

BURIAL  OF  THE  DEAD. 

After  the  coffin  is  loioered  into  the  grave,  the  minister  shall 

repeat  the  following: 

"Man  that  is  born  of  a  woman  is  of  few  days  and  full 
of  trouble.  He  cometh  forth  like  a  flower,  and  is  cut  down : 
he  fleeth  also  as  a  shadow,  and  continueth  not."  "Lord, 
make  me  to  know  mine  end,  and  the  measure  of  my  days, 
what  it  is ;  that  I  may  know  how^  frail  I  am." 

In  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death;  unto  whom  should 
we  seek  for  succor  but  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  who  for  our  sins 
art  justly  displeased?  Our  hope  is  in  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ, 
who  hath  said,  "I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life :  he  that 
believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live: 
and  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never  die." 
"For  we  know  that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle 
were  dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of  God,  an  house  not 
made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens." 

"And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying  unto  me.  Write' 
Blessed   are   the   dead  which   die  in   the   Lord   from   hence- 


FORMULAS  207 

forth  :  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their 
labors ;  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

"There  shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  cry- 
ing, neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain  :  for  the  former 
things  are  passed  away." 

Inasmuch  as  the  soul  of  our  brother  [or  sister]  has 
passed  out  of  time  into  eternity,  we  commit  his  [or  her] 
remains  to  the  ground,  earth  to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes,  dust 
to  dust,  in  the  confident  hope  of  the  general  resurrection 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  at  his  coming  and  Glorj'. 
Benediction. 

Section  XV. 

In  case  the  Apostles'  Creed  or  Lord's  Prayer  be  used  in 
any  of  our  services,  the  following  forms  may  be  used : 

The  Lord's  Prayer. 

Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven.  Hallowed  be  thy  name. 
Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in 
heaven.  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive 
us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our  debtors.  And  lead  us  not 
into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil :  For  thine  is  the 
kingdom,  and  the  powder,  and  the  glory,  for  ever.     Amen. 

The  Apostles'  Greed. 
I  believe  in  God,  the  Father  Almighty,  maker  of  heaven 
and  earth ;  and  in  Jesus  Christ,  his  only  Son,  our  Lord ; 
who  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Spirit ;  born  of  the  Virgin 
Mary ;  suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate ;  was  crucified,  dead, 
and  buried ;  he  descended  into  hades.  The  third  day  he  arose 
from  the  dead ;  he  ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  on  the 
right  hand  of  God  the  Father  Almighty ;  from  thence  he 
shall  come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead.  I  believe  in 
the  Holy  Spirit,  the  holy  catholic  church ;  the  communion 
of  saints ;  and  the  life  everlasting.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

Forms. 
Section  I. 

CERTIFICATES    AND   LICENSES. 

1.     Certificate  of  Transfer  of  Member. 
This  is   to  certify  that  A.   B,   is  an   acceptable  member 
of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  at  


Class,    Charge,    Conference,    and    is    hereby 

transferred   to   •    Society,    of   Charge,    

Conference. 

Pastor. 

[Date,  etc.] 

2,  Certificate   of   Membership. 

This  is  to  certify  that  A.  B.  is  a  member  in  good  stand- 
ind   of   the    Church   of   the    United   Brethren    in    Christ,   at 

— ,   and  is  hereby  recommended   to  the  confidence  and 

fellowship  of  Cliristians  everywhere. 

.  . .  .■ Pastor. 

[Date,  etc.] 

3.  Certificate  of   Withdrawal. 

This  is  to  certify  that  A.  B.  has  been  until  this  date  a 
member  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  at 

,  and  is  granted  this  letter  of  withdrawal  from  the 

Church  by  a  vote  of  the  class. 

Pastor. 

[Date,  etc.] 

4.     Return   Certificate. 

This  is  to  certify  that  on  19 — ,  

was  received  into  the  fellowship  of  the ,  at 

on  a  certificate  from  the  Church  of  the 

United  Brethren  in  Christ,  at  . 

Pastor. 


Please  fill  out  and  return  to. 

208 


FORMS  209 

5.     License  for  Quarterly-Conference  Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  an  approved  preacher  of 

the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable  with 
the  gospel  of  Christ,  as  held  by  this  Church.  Given  at  a 
quarterly  conference,  held  on  charge,  an- 
nual  conference,   this day  of  •  in   the  year  of 

our  Lord  .     Void  unless  renewed  annually. 

Conf .  Supt. 

[Date,  etc.] 

6.     License  for  Lay  Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that is  an  approved  lay  preacher 

of  the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable 
with  the  gospel  of  Christ,  as  held  by  this  Church.  Given  at 
a  quarterly  conference,  held  on  charge,  an- 
nual   conference,    this   day    of   in    the    year 

of  our  Lord  .     Void  unless  renewed  annually. 

Conf.  Supt. 

[Date,  etc.] 

7.     Permanent  License  for   Quarterly-Conference   Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that  has  completed  the  course 

of    reading    required,    and    is    hereby    granted    a    permanent 

license  as  a  quarterly-conference  preacher  by  charge, 

annual   conference,    in    the    Church    of    the    United 

Brethren   in   Christ. 

Conf.  Supt. 

[Date,  etc.] 

8.     Annual-Conference  Preacher's  License. 

This  is  to  certify  that  •  is  an  approved  preacher  of 

the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable  with 
the  gospel  of  Christ.  Given  at  the  annual  confer- 
ence, held  in  ,  this  day  of  in  the  year 

of  our  Lord,  .     Signed  in  behalf  of  said  conference. 

Bishop, 

[Date,  etc.] 

9.     Elder's  License. 

This  is  to  certify  that  ■  is  an  approved  preacher  of 

the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 


210  DISCIPLINE 

as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable  with 
the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  has  been  ordained  to  the  office  of 
elder  by  the  laying  on  of  hands. 

Given  at   the  annual   conference   held   in   

this  day  of  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  . 

Signed  and  sealed  in  behalf  of  said  conference. 

Bishop. 

[Date,  etc.] 

10.  Transfer  of  Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  a  of  the  Church 

of    the    United   Brethren    in    Christ    of   Conference, 

and    is    hereby    transferred    to    ■ •    Conference    of    said 

Church. 

Bishop. 

[Date,  etc.] 

11.  Deaconess'*  Certificate 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  an  approved  deaconess 

in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Authorized  by  the  quarterly  conference  of  

charge,  •  annual  conference. 


Conf.  Supt 
.  .  Secretary. 


21.       Deaconess'     Certificate    of    Consecration. 

This  is  to  certify  that  ,  having  satisfactorily  com- 
pleted the  course  of  study  prescribed  in  our  Book  of  Dis- 
cipline, and  having  proven  herself  an  efficient  Christian 
worker,  has  been  consecrated  a  regular  deaconess  in  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  by  the  laying  on 

of  hands  this day  of  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 

,  so  long  as  her  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable 

with  the  gospel  of  Christ  and  with  the  government  of  our 
Church. 

Place  of  consecration  . 

[  Signed] Bishop. 

Section  II. 

BEQUESTS. 

13.     The  Missionary  Societies. 

I  give  and  bequeath  to  the  Missionary  Society  of 

the   United   Brethren   in   Christ,   organized   by    the   General 


FORMS  211 

Conference  of  said  Church,  May  20,  1853,  and  incorporated 
in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  September  23,  1854,  and  reorganized 
by  the  General  Conference  at  Topeka,   Kansas,   May  1905, 

the  sum  of  dollars ;  and  the  receipt  of  the  treasurer 

of  the  society  shall  be  a  sufficient  discharge  thereof  to  my 
executors  and  administrators. 

[Name] 

IJ^.      The    Church-Erection   Society. 

I  bequeath  to  the  Church-Erection  Society  of  the  United 

Brethren  in  Christ  the  sum  of dollars,  to  be  invested 

according  to  the  constitution  of  this  socltety. 

[Name] 

15.     Wommi's  Missionary  Association. 

I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  the  Woman's  Missionary 
Association  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,   the  sum  of 

•  dollars,  to  be  applied  to  the  purposes  set  forth   in 

the  Articles  of  Incorporation  adopted  March  28,   1890. 

[Name] 


16.     Church   Trustees. 

I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  the  "Trustees  of  the  Unit- 
ed Brethren  in  Christ,"  an  incorporation  located  at  Dayton, 
Ohio,  for  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 

Dollars, 

to  be  applied  as  follows : 

(Here  state  precisely  the  purpose  for  which  the  bequest  is 
made,  or  say,  "To  be  used  at  the  discretion  of  said  trustees  to 
promote  the  cause  of  Christianity  in  said  Church.") 


[Name] 


17.     Boneirake  Theological  Seminary. 

I  give  and  bequeath  to  the  Bonebrake  Theological  Sem- 
inary of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  located  at  Dayton, 
Ohio,  authorized  by  the  General  Conference  of  said  Church 
in   Lebanon,   Pennsylvania,   May   2,   1869,   and  incorporated 

according  to  the  laws  of  Ohio,  the  sum  of  dollars ; 

and  the  receipt  of  the  business  manager  shall  be  a  sufficient 
discharge  thereof  to  my  executors. 

[Name] 


212 


DISCIPLINE 


Section  III. 

REPORTS. 

18.     Pastor's  Report  to  the  Quarterly  Conference. 

QUARTERLY  REPORT, 

Annual   Conference,   United   Brethren  in  Christ. 


District 

CLASSES    OB 

FIELBS 

OF 

LABOR, 

j  Station 

}  Circuit 

Missions 

Quarter 

19.. 

* 

B 

pa 

_o 

in 

o 
'S 

>> 

o 
N 

"> 

'"a; 

s 

O 

o 
-u 

o 

No    appointments    .  .  . 

No.  members  at  begin- 
iiins       

No    members  received 

No    members  lost      .  . 

No.  members  at  pres- 

No    baptisms 

Pastoral   visits 

Class    meetings    held. 
Telescopes 

Woincin's  Evctuoels 

No.    Sunday  schools    . 
X^n     in    TTomp    T~)f>pt 

Nn     on    Cradle    Roll 

No.   in   Adult   Bible 

No.  Young  People's 

No.   Junior   Young 

People's  Societies    . 
No.  Woman's  Aid   So- 

No.   W.   M.' A."  ( local) 
No.   in  Home  Mission 

■ 

No.    in   Foreign    Mis- 

Collected  for  Pastor's 

Collected   for    Conf. 

Collected    for    Special 

Offerings  for    

Remarks 


,  Pastor. 


FORMS  213 

19.     Pastor's  Quarterly  Report  to  the 

Conference  Superintendent. 
Annual  Conference. 

CHURCH   OF   THE   UNITED    BRETHREN    IN   CHRIST. 

Quarter Conf .   Superintendent,  19 .  . 

P.  O.  Address    

Name  of  Charge Name  and  P.  O.  of  Pastor 

No,  of  Members Salary  Promised Amt.  Pd. .  . . 

Pastoral  Calls .    Sermons Funerals 

Marriages Conversions Baptisms 

Additions Losses 

NAME,     LOCATION,     AND     VALUE     OF     CHURCHES. 


3 

4 

5 

PARSONAGE,   LOCATION,    AND  VALUE. 

Improvements  on  Churches Parsonage , 

Debts  on  Churches Debt  on  Parsonage 

Debts  pd.  on  Church Debt  pd.  on  Parsonage .  . 

Insurance  on  Churches Insurance  on  Parsonage. 


STEWARDS. 

Name  and  Address  of  Conf.  .   Apporm't  to  Classes. 
Supt.  Stewards Amount  Paid 

Circ't  or  Gen.  Stew'd. 

Address 


Conf,  Supt.'s  Assessm't.  . .  . 

CLASS    OR   DIVISION    STEWARDS 


2. 

3. 
4. 
5, 


CLASS  LEADERS. 


214 


DISCIPLINE 


Name 


SUNDAY    SCHOOIS, 

Supt.  p.  O. 


Members       Av.  A 


1. 
2. 
3. 

4. 

■5. 


Place 


YOUNG  people's  SOCIETIES. 

President  Cor.  Sec'y 


Members 


Mission  Study Bible  Study Finance. 


JUNIOR    SOCIETIES. 

Place Sup't Members , 

Place Sup't Members, 

Place Sup't Members , 


Money . 
Money . 
Money , 


1.  Place. 

2.  Place. 

3.  Place. 


men's    BROTHERHOODS. 

President Secretary. 

President Secretary, 

President Secretary. 


Members . 
Members . 
Members , 


woman's    missionary    ASSOCIATION. 

Place President Members ....    Money . 

Place President Members.  . .  .    Money, 

Place President Members ....    Money . 

No.  of  Evangels No,  in  Study  Class in 


OTTERBEIN   GUILD. 

Place President Members. 

Place President Members . 

Place President Members . 


Money. 
Money . 
Money. 


LADIES'    AID   SOCIETY. 

Place President Members , 

Place Treasurer $ 


CHURCH  LITERATURE. 

No.  of  Religious  Telescopes 

No.  of  Watchwords 

No.  of  Woman's  Evangels 


FORMS  215 

FINANCES. 

Raised   for   Local  Budget 

Raised   for   Benevolence   Budget 

Specials 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

No.  of  Mission   Study  Classes:   Foreign Home 

No.  of  Members  in  Study  Classes  :  Foreign Home 

No.  of  Christian  Stewardship  Classes . ,  .  No.  of  Members .  , . 

Local  Preachers 

Candidates  for  the  Ministry Licenses  Granted 

Openings  for  new  Sunday  Schools 

Openings  for  new  Preaching  Appointments 

Openings  for  new  Church  Building 

Students  in  College 

Prospective  College  Students 

Pastor    


20.     Sunday-School  Superintendenfs   Report. 

Sunday    School 

Quarter 

[Date]  * 

1.  Number  of  officers  and  teachers 

2.  Number  of  scholars  enrolled 

(a)  Cradle   Roll 

(b)  Beginnei-s'  Class 

(c)  Primary   Department 

(d)  Intermediate  Department 

(e)  Senior  Department 

(f)  Adult   Department    (including  only   organized 
classes)    

3.  Average  attendance   

4.  Watchwords 

5.  Friend  for  Boys  and  Girls 

G.     Lessons  for  Our  Juniors 

7.  Lesson  Leaves 

8.  Quarterlies   (Intermediate  and  Senior) 

9.  Adult  Bible  Quarterly 

10.  Bible  Teachers 

11.  Home  Department  Quarterlies 

12.  Amount  of  Offering   

13.  Expenses  of  the  Quarter   


216  DISCIPLINE 

14.  Contributions  for  Local  Budget ,  . .  . 

"  "     Benevolence  Budget    

15.  Remarks 

Superintendent. 

27.     Report  of  President  of  Young  People'' s  Society. 

Class,    Quarter. 

[Date.] 

1.  Number  of  members  at  beginning  of  quarter : 

Active Associate 

Honorary 

2.  Members  received  

3.  Members   lost    

4.  Present   membership    

5.  Number  associate  members  converted. 

6.  Number  meetings  held 

7.  Number  Watchwords  taken   

8.  Funds   collected    

9.  For  what  purposes 

10.     Remarks     

$  President. 

22.     Class-Leader's  Report. 

Class    Quarter 

[Date.] 

1.  Number   of  members 

2.  Number  of  meetings  held    

3.  Average  attendance    

4.  Number  of  sick  and  delinquent  members  visited 

Class-Leader. 

23.     Class-Steward's  Report. 

Class,    Quarter. 

[Date.] 

1.  Apportionment  for  year 

2.  Amount  due  at  end  of  quarter 

3.  Amount  Paid    

4. '    Deficit   

5.  Surplus     

Steveard. 


FORMS 


217 


24.     Pastor's   Annual   Report, 
church    of    united   brethren    in    christ. 

Charge 

Annual    Conference 

Pastor    

Date     


0) 

(D 

M 

M 

;-i 

I-. 

a 

rt     . 

^   . 

Xi  U 

^J3 

US 

STATISTICS 

— -    CO 

MEMBERSHIP 

Beginning  of  Year 

Rec'd  by  Conf.  Faith   .... 

Rec'd  bv  Lotter      

Total  in  Ch.  During  Year 
Lost   bv   Letter      .    .  . 

Lost  bv  Removal,   etc     .  .  . 

Total   Loss          

Members  End  of  Year    .  .  . 

Members  Under  Watcli  Care 

Increase    

Decrease    

Conversions     

Y.    P     s     C.    E 

Members  in  Senior  Societv 

Members  in  Junior  Society 

SUNDAY    SCHOOL 

Teachers  and  Officers   .... 

\ 

Scliolars  in  Mam  School 

Scholars  in  Home  D'ept    .  . 

Members  on  Cradle  Roll 

Total   Enrollment    

No    Adult  Bible  Classes    . 

Scholars    Adult    Bible    Cl's 

Scholars  Added  Church 
from   S     S 

Sunday- School    Libraries 

Volumes  in  Libraries        .  • 

Brotherh'd    (No.  Members) 

LITERATURE 

Religious    Telescope 

Woman's  Evangel 

Watchword            

Friend  for  Boys  and  Girls 
Otterhein  Teacher      

Otterhein  Adult    Quarterly 
Otterhein  Senior  Quarterly 
Otterhein  Inter.    Quarterly 
Otterh'n  Home  Dept.  Q't'ly 
Weekly  Bible  Lesson  L'ves 

218 


DISCIPLINE 


STATISTICS 

a  o 
1—1 

M 

OS 

0) 

fcO 

Lessons    for   The   Juniors. 

Graded      1   

Series      ]   

l^ . 

Froeliche   Botschafter    .  .  . 

Jugend  Pilger    

FINANCES 

Pastor's  Salary  Apport'n'd 
Budget    Apportioned         .  . 

Pastor's  Salary   Paid      .  .  . 

Presents    Received    

Conf    Supt.'s  Salary 

Local   Current   Expense    .  . 

Church  &  Parsonage  BIdg. 

Local  S    S    Purposes 

Y    P    S    C    E    Gen    Fund 

Brotherhood  Gen    Fund   .  . 

Budget    Paid         

S     S     to   Buderet 

Y  P  S  C   E  Off'r'g  to  Bgt 

Children's  Day     "     "     " 
Spec    to   Colleges        .... 

Spec    to   Bonebrake    Sem 

Special   to   Home   Missions 
Spec,   to   Foreign   Missions 

Wnmnn'cs  TVT1«!«t     Assnriatinn 

Phiivph    Frpptinrt    Sner'ial 

Spec,   to   Conf.    Extension. 
Spec.    New   Parsonage   En- 

Spec,   to   New   Church   En- 

Spec.  to  Evangelistic  Fund 

Total  for  All  Purposes 
property. 

Dpht 

T*ohh 

FORMS 


219 


25.    CONFERENCE   SUPERINTENDENT'S  QUARTERLY  REPORT  TO  BISHOP, 

Annual    Conference 

District 

Foi*  Quarter   ending    191 . . . 


1 

No.  Charges  Sliort  on  Budget 
to  Date 

No.  Cliarges  Sliort  on  Salary 
to  Date 

Deficit   on   Budget   to   Date 

Amount   Collected   on   Budget 
to  Date 

Amount   of   Budget    to   Date 

Deficit  on  Pastors'    Salary   to 
Date 

Pastors'    Salary    Paid    during 
Month 

Pastor's   Salary  Promised  per 
Month 

No.   Telescopes  Taken 

No.    Added   to    Church 

f  Children 

L  Adults 

No.    Conversions 

No.    Pastoral    Visits    o'r   Calls 

No.    Sermons   Preached 

Salary   Rec'd   by   Supt. 

Salary    Due    Supt. 

No.   Sermons   Preached 

No.   Charges   Visited 

No.   Appointments 

No.    Charges                                    1 

Conf.    Supt 


220 


DISCIPLINE 


26.    PASTOR^S    MONTHLY    REPORT    TO    CONFERENCE    SUPERINTENDENT. 

Annual   Conference 

Charge 

For   month   ending    191 .  . . 


Collected  for 


Collected  for 


Collected  for 


Estimated    Cost    of    Same 


No.    New    Churches    Started 


No.  Appointments  Short  on  Bud- 
get to  Date 


No.   Appointments   Short  on   Sal- 
ary to  Date 


Deficit    on    Budget    for    Year    to 
,     Date 


Collected  on  Budget  During  Mo. 


Amount   of   General   Budget,    per 
Month 


Deficit    on    Salary    for    Year    to 
Date 


I    Salary  Rec'd   in  Month 


Salary    Promised    per    Month 


I   No.  Telescopes  Taken 


No.  Added  to  Church 


No.  Baptisms^ 


r  Children 


I  Adults 


No.   Conversions 


No.    Weeks    Evan.    Services 


No.    Y.    P.    S.   C.   E.   Meetings 


No.  S.  S.   Sessions 
No.   Prayer   Meetings 
No.  Visits  or  Calls 


No.   Sermons  Preached 


No.    Appointments 


1 , 

-T! 


Pastur 


FORMS 


221 


27.      General    Steward's    Report. 

Report  of   General   Steward 

To Quarterly  Conference  of 

Church 

Annual  Conference 

United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

191... 

Amount  Due   to  Date 

Received  from 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 


Total  Receipts 


Shortage 
or 

Excess 


Annual  Report  of   Treasurer  of  Board   of   Church   or 
Parsonage  Trustees. 


1.     Receipts. 

(1)      By    subscriptions 
By    donations    .  . 

Interest    

Collections   

Rents    


Dols.     Cts. 


(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 


Total   Receipts 
Dishiirsenients. 

(1)      Erection  of 


(2) 


(3) 

(4) 


Paid  on  debt — 
(a)     Principal   .  . 
(h)     Interest    .  .  . 

Paid  for  repairs    . 

For   improvements 


Cliurch  at 


Dols.     Cts. 


Total    disbursements 

Indehtedness. 

(1)  Principal    

(2)  Interest    

(3)  Bills   unpaid    


Dols.     Cts. 


Total    indebtedness 


Number  of  Meetings   held 
Remarks        , 


,  Treasurer. 


222  DISCIPLINE 

Section  IV. 

CONTRIBUTION     CARDS. 

29.     For   the   Support   of   Our   Local   Church. 
The  sum  necessary  to  meet  the  current  expenses  of  our 
local   church   this   year,   including   the   pastor's   salary,   will 
be  $ 

To  help   meet  these   expenses   I   desire   to   contribute  the 
weekly  amount  under  which  I  mark  X  in  the  space  below. 

Amoujit    Weekly    for   Local   Expense. 
$10.00    5.00    2.00    1.00    .75    .50    .35    .25    .15    .10    .05 

Name    Date 

Address ^ 


Note. — All  subscriptions  are  calculated  on  the  weekly  basis 
in  accordance  with  I.  Cor.  16  :  2.  However,  if  desired,  the  pay- 
ments of  tliis  subscription  may  be  made  monthly,  quarterly,  or 
in   cash   early   in  the  year. 

30.  Benevolence. 
Our  churches  should  introduce  a  weekly  system  of  givjng 
for  benevolences  as  well  as  for  their  local  needs,  and  when 
a  congregation  introduces  such  a  system  it  should  be  relieved 
from  special  appeals  for  purposes  provided  for  in  the  weekly 
system.  As  a  suggestive  form  of  pledge  for  securing  the  be- 
nevolences, the  following  is  proposed : 

The   United  Brethren  in   Christ;  To  Preach   the   Gospel   to 
Others  at  Home  and  Atroad. 

Our  church  desires  to  raise  this  year, — 

For  the  Benevolence   Budget,   $ , 

which  includes  the  amounts  for  Bishop's  support,  Home 
Missions,  Foreign  Missions,  Church  Erection,  Board  of 
Control,  Board  of  Education,  Preachers'  Pensions,  and 
Bonebrake  Seminary  ;  and, — 

For  the  Annual  Conference  Budget,  $ 

which  includes  the  amounts  for  conference  superinten- 
dent, conference  Church  Extension,  Colleges,  and  other 
interests  specified  by  the  Annual  Conference. 

I  will  give  the  weekly  amount  under  which  I  mark  X  in 
the  space  below,  for  the  above-named  objects : 


FORMS  223 

WeeJcly  Amount  for  All  Benevolences. 
$10.00    5.00    2.00    1.00    .75    .50    .35    .25    .15    .10    .05 

Name    Date 

Address 


Note. — If  so  directed  by  the  annual,  conference,  the  salary 
of  the  conference  superintendent  may  be  included  in  the  local 
budget.  All  subscriptions  are  calculated  on  the  weekly  basis 
in  accordance  with  I.  Cor.  16  :  2.  Howeyer,  if  desired,  the  pay- 
ments may  be  made  monthly,  quarterly,  or  in  cash  early  in  the 
year.  Our  Lord  and  Master  will  be  pleased  to  have  every 
member  of  his  Church,  including  the  children,  contribute  to 
send  his  gospel  to  others. 

RESOLUTIONS     OF     THE     GENERAL     CONFERENCE. 

Education. 

That  our  educational  institutions  collectively,  including 
Bonebrake  Seminary,  plan  to  raise  $1,000,000.00  during  the 
quadrennium  for  endowment.  Each  school  shall  retain  as 
its  own  all  the  money  it  raises  for  this  fund. 

The  time  and  arrangements  for  securing  this  fund  shall 
be  referred  to  the  Board  of  Education  in  co-operation  with 
officials  of   Bonebrake   Seminary  and  the   colleges. 

Instruction  of  Children. 

Whereas,  At  the  present  time  a  large  percentage  of  the 
children  in  our  Sunday  schools  never  unite  with  the  church, 
but  drift  away  from  it  during  the  years  of  adolescence,  and, 

Whereas,  The  future  of  the  church  depends  largely  upon 
the  conservation  of  her  children,  and  their  proper  training, 
and, 

Whereas,  The  welfare  of  the  whole  nation  is  involved  in 
the  moral  and  religious  training  of  the  children ;  therefore, 
be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Conference  direct  the  Board 
of  Bishops  and  the  Educational  Officers  of  the  Church  to 
prepare  or  cause  to  be  prepared  for  the  use  of  the  Sunday 
schools  of  the  Church,  supplemental,  and  in  addition  to  the 
regular  lesson  studies,  a  course  in  catechetical  instruction,  or 
literature  in  such  other  form  as  they  may  think  best,  to  the 
end  that  these  shall  be  a  systematic  .preparation  of  the 
child  for  the  duties  of  church  membership  and  of  Christian 
citizenship,  and  that  shall  close  the  gap  as  nearly  as  may 
be,  that  now  exists  between  the  Sunday  school  membership 
and  church  membership. 


224  DISCIPLINE 

Church   Union. 

1.  We  recommend  that  this  General  Conference  approve 
the  Syllabus  of  Union — subject  to  amendment  as  it  provides 
— ^and  commit  itself  unreservedly  to  the  proposed  policy 
of  union  with  the  Methodist  Protestant  Cliurch. 

2.  That  the  Bishops  be  authorized  to  submit  the  Syllabus 
and  plan  of  union  to  our  annual  conferences  for  consider- 
ation and  approval. 

3.  That  upon  affirmative  vote  of  three-fourths  of  our 
annual  conferences,  the  Board  of  Bishops  shall  submit  the 
question  to  vote  of  our  membership. 

4.  That  upon  an  affirmative  vote  of  three-fourths  of  our 
membership  voting  for  the  union  and  the  adoption  of  the 
Constitution  and  Confession  of  Faith  as  provided  in  the 
Discipline  of  the  Church,  the  Bishops  be  authorized  to  con- 
vene the  General  Conference  for  final  approval  and  ratifi- 
cation. 

5.  That  we  immediately  federate  in  all  possible  activities 
and  occasions  with  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 

6.  That  we  authorize  our  Commission  on  Church  Union 
to  carry  forward  a  campaign  of  information  to  the  end  that 
all  our  people  may  act  intelligently  and  in  the  fear  of  God 
on  the  proposition  of  union. 

7.  That  our  editors  be  authorized  to  set  forward  the  out- 
standing reasons  for  the  union  of  a  divided  and  distracted 
Protestantism. 


Officers  and   Standing   Commissions. 

Board  of  Bishops. — G.  M.  Mathews,  W.  M.  Weekley,  W.  M. 

Bell,    H.    H.    Font,    C.    J.    Kephart,    A.    J.    Howard,    N. 

Castle,  emeritus,  F.  C.  Carter,  emeritus. 
Church    Union. — Board    of    Bishops,    W.    R.    Funk,    A.    P. 

Funkhouser,   W.    O.    Fries,    S.    W.    Paul,    F.    E.    Brooke, 

D.  D.  Lowery,  G.  A.  Lambert,  S.  W.  Lott,  R.  H.  Bennett. 

General  Commission  on  Finance. — Bishop  G.   M.   Mathews, 

D.  D.  Lowery,  J.  H.  Renbush,  C.  W.  Kurtz,  J.  M.  Cogan, 

E.  W.  Curtis,  G.  A.  Lambert,  R.  H.  Bennett,  P.  O.  Bone- 
brake,  M.  Keppel,  L.  O.  Miller  (General  Clmrch  Treas- 
urer), S.  S.  Hough  (Secretary,  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions), C.  W.  Whitney  (Secretary,  Board  of  Home  Mis- 
sions), A.  C.  Siddall  (Secretary,  Church  Erection  Board), 
C.  W.  Brewbaker    (Secretary,  Board  of  Control),  W.  E. 


OFFICERS     AND     STANDING     COMMISSIONS  225 

Schell  (Secretary,  Board  of  Education),  J,  E.  Font  (Bus- 
iness Manager,  Bonebrake  Seminary),  George  Miller 
(President,   Preachers'   Pension   Bureau), 

On  Evangelism. — C.  Whitney.  J.  S.  Kendall,  J.  E.  Shan- 
non, A.  H.  Reese,  C.  W.  Recard,  G.  E.  Bertch,  J.  H. 
Little.  H.  M.  Whitecraft,  11.  0.  Cridland,  H.   L.  Carl. 

Pension  Bureau. — R.  J.  White,  G.  Miller,  R.  A.  Hitt,  Fred 
Geib,  J.   T.   Criss. 

On  Business  Arrangements  and  Program   for  General  Con- 
ference   of    1911. — W.    R.    Funk     (Publishing    Agent). 
Board  of  Trustees  of  Publishing  House,  Board  of  Bishops. 

On  Prohihition  of  Liquor  Traffic. — A.  E.  Wright.  W.  H. 
Washinger.  H.  M.  Whitecraft,  J.  A.  Groves,  R.  A.  Hitt, 
M.  Keppel,  C.  W.  Kurtz,  J.  A.  Lyter,  W.  F.  Gruver. 

Memorial  Commission. — Names  not  furnished. 

Commission  on   Rural  Life. — Names  not   furnished. 

deneral  Officers. —  (For  Bishops,  see  Board  of  Bishops: 
for  heads  of  departments,  see  under  Commission  on  Fi- 
nance) ;  W.  R.  Funk,  Publishing  Agent;  O.  T.  Deever, 
Secretary,  Young  People's  Work ;  Mrs.  L.  R.  Harford. 
President,  Woman's  Missionary  Association ;  Mrs.  Alva 
Kauffman,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  Woman's  jMissionary 
Association :  Mrs.  Mary  R.  Albert,  Editor,  Woman's 
Evangel;  J.  M.  Phillippi,  Editor,  Religious  Telescope;  H. 
F.  Shupe,  Editor,  Watchicord;  W.  O.  Fries,  Editor,  Sun- 
day-school literature. 

The  new  Discipline  shall  be  in  effect  on  and  after  August 
15,  1913. 


INDEX 


Absent  voters  for  General   Conference  delegates,  41. 

Absentees  from  annual  conference.  38. 

Academies.   168. 

Agent  of  Printing  Establishment : 

duties  of,  161. 

election  of,   160. 
Aid: 

from  Board  of  Education  to  students,  166. 

from   Church   Erection    Society,   157. 
Allegheny  Conference,   boundary   of  178. 
Amenability  of   certified  members,   29. 
Annual   Conference  : 

absentees  from,   38. 

address  and  sermon  at,  56. 

appeals   from.   84. 

appeals  to,   38,   84. 

authority  of,  39. 

benevolent    funds,    39. 

bishop  pro  tempore,  38. 

boundaries,   17,   178. 

business  sheet,  39. 

devotions.    38. 

electioneering   forbidden,   38, 

examination   of.   43. 

examination    of   preachers,    38. 

examination  on  course  of  study,  78. 

lay   representation   in.   37. 

members  of.  37. 

order  of  business  at,   38. 

presiding  officers.   38,   56. 

secretaries.   38. 

sermon  and  address  at.  56. 

trial  of  preachers,  59,  60. 
Apostles"  Creed,  207. 
Appeals  : 

court   of.   84. 

from   annual   conference,   84.   85. 

from  class,  26.   84. 

from  quarterly  conference.  37,  84. 

from   stationing   committee,   65. 

right   of,   18.   27. 

to  quarterly  conference.  37. 
Applicants  for  Church   membership  : 

acceptance   of   applicants.    19. 

committee  to   examine.   20.  > 

questions  to.   19. 
Apportionment  to  members,  36. 
Authorship   of  doctrinal   publications.    163. 

Baptism  : 

doctrine  of.   14. 

formula   for   adults.    189, 

formula   for    children,    190. 

upon   admission   into   the   Church.    19. 
Beneficiary   aid  : 

collections   for,    166. 

object.    165. 

recommendations   for,    166. 

227 


228  INDEX 

Benevolent  and  Educational   Institutions,   124. 
Benevolent  funds,  39,  118,  123. 
Bequests  : 

forms  of,  210,  211. 

General    Board    of   Clmrcli   Trustees.    94. 

Woman's   Missionary   Association,    ]3S. 
Bible  cause,  51, 
Bishops  : 

accountability  of.  58. 

address  and  sermon,   56. 

announcement    of    representation     in    the    General    Confer- 
ence,  40. 

annual    meeting   of,    56. 

attendance   at    conference,    56. 

council  meetings,  59. 

districts   of,    56.    177. 

duties  of.  56.  57,   128,  130,  133. 

election  of,   17,   55. 

eligibility  to  office  of,  17. 

of  foreign   district,    135. 

ordination  of  preachers,  57. 

organization  of  mission   conferences,   57. 

presiding  at   conferences,   56. 

pro  tempore,  38. 

residences  of,   56. 

salaries  of.   56. 

special   sessions  of  conference,  57. 

stationing   preachers,    65. 

supervision  of   foreign  work.  58. 

trial   of,    61 

vacancy   in   office  of,   58. 
Board   of  Control,   95. 
Board  of  Education,   17.  164. 
Boards  of  Trustees,  43. 
B(»nebrake  Theological   Seminary  : 

annual  collections  for,  169. 

business   manager  of,   170. 

custodian  of  funds.   171. 

directors    of,    170. 
duties  of,  170. 

endowment  funds,   171. 

entrance   examination.    172. 

obligation   of  faculty,   171. 

officers  of,   170. 

post-graduate  studies,   172. 

under  control   of  General   Conference,   17. 
Book   Committee,   162. 
Boundaries,   177. 

annual  conference.  178. 

bishops'   districts,   177. 
Branch  missionary  societies  : 

constituted,   how,    125.    132. 

funds,    126. 

secretary,   126,   132. 
Branch  society  W.  M.  A.,  constitution  of,   144. 
Brotherhood  work  : 

committees  and  duties  of,   103. 

constitution.    101. 

members.   102. 

object,   101. 

officers  and  duties  of,  102. 
Building  of  church-houses  and  parsonages.  90. 
Burial  of  the  dead,   formula  for.  206. 

California  Conference,  boundary  of,  178. 

Care  of  the  poor,  23. 

Central  District,  bishops',   177. 


INDEX  229 


Certificates  : 

forwarding    of.   28. 

limitation   of,   28. 

of  deaconess,  form  of,  210, 

of  membersliip.  form  of.  208. 

of  non-resident   members,   transfer  of,  27. 

of  reception  of  members,  28. 

of   recommendation,    28. 

of  transfer  of  members,  form  of,  208. 

of  transfer  of  preacher,  form  of,  210. 

of  withdrawal,  form  of.  208. 
Chickamauga   Conference,    178, 
Children,  home  training  of,  G8. 

reception   into  tlie   Church,   20. 
Children's  Day,  96,  97,  98. 
China   Mission   Conference,   187. 
Christian    Stewardship,    118. 
Church  : 

disbanding  classes,  30. 

division  into  classes,  30. 

government  of,  30. 

local  organization,   30. 

origin  of,  9. 

trustees  of,  94, 
Church  clerk.  32. 
Cliurch  deacons,  32. 
Church  Erection  Society  : 

administration  of  funds,   158. 

application  for  aid,  157. 

bequest  to,  211. 

brancli  societies,  156. 

constitution  of,  155. 

duty  of  the  ministry,   158. 

granting  loans,  157. 

insurance  for  securitv  of,   158. 

lot  fund,   159. 

loans,   157. 

meetings,  156. 

membership,    155. 

name,  155. 

object  of,  155. 

officers  of.   155. 
duties  of,   156. 

parsonage  fund,  158. 

treasurer,   receipts  of,    157. 

under  control   of  General   Conference,   17, 
Church-houses  : 

building  of,  90. 

conditions  of  mortgages  and  liens,  92. 

conference  or  district  property,  93. 

division    of   Interest,   93. 

duties  of  trustees,  90.  , 

electing  trustees,  90. 

formula  for  dedication  of.  198. 

real  estate,  93. 

sale  and  rent  of,  91, 

transfer  of,   92. 

vacancies  in  board  of  trustees,  90. 
Church  publications,  162. 
Church   union,   224. 
Church   records,   revision  of.   66. 
Church  treasurer,  general,  44. 
Church   trustees,    94. 

Circulating  Church   literature,   duty   of,   66. 
Classes  : 

disbanding,  30. 


230  INDEX 

division  of  church   into.   30. 

local  church  organization,   30. 
Classification  of  ministry  : 

classes.    51. 

how   determined,    52. 
Class-leaders 

dismissal   of.   31. 

duties   of,   80,   31. 

election   of,   30. 

holding   meetings,    31. 

in    election    of    General    Conference    delegates,    41. 

in   trials,    26, 

qualifications    of,    30. 

records    of,    31. 

report,    form    of.    216. 

visiting  sick   and  delinquent,   31. 
Class-stewards  : 

appointment  of,   31.   66. 

conference   superintendent,   32. 

collection  for  pastor,   31. 

dismissal   of,   32. 

duties  of.   31.   32. 

in    election    of   General    Conference   delegates,    41. 

report,    form  of,   216. 
Collections 

general,   67. 

missionary,  67. 

for   pastor,    31. 
College-extension  courses,   169. 
Colleges  : 

conference   co-operation,    168. 

endowment  funds,  169. 

establishing  new  colleges.  165,  168. 

establishment  of,   165. 

extension   courses,   169. 

industrial  education.   169. 

musical  training,  169. 

religious   training,    169. 

rules   relating   to,    167. 

standard  of  courses  for,   165. 
Colorado    Conference,    boundary   of.    178. 
Columbia   River   Conference,    boundary   of,    178. 
Commission  on   Finance,   118,    119,   120,   224. 
Committees  : 

for  examination  of  elders,  53. 

for  trial  of  annual-conference  preachers.   60. 

for  trial   of  quarterly-conference   preachers,   59. 

for  trial  of  members,  25. 
Conference  : 

annual,   see  Annual   Conference. 

General,   see   General    Conference. 

quarterly,   see   Quarterly    Conference. 
Conference   superintendents  : 

association  of,  57. 

duties   of,   54,   55. 

in  election  of  General  Conference  delegates.  40. 
regarding  incorporation   of  church   trustees,   55. 

election  of.   54. 

power  to  dismiss  pastors.  55. 

power  to  exchange  pastors.  55. 

reports   of,   54,   55. 

support  of,  54. 

trial  of,  61. 

vacancies  filled,  55. 


Index  231 


Conference-superintendent  steward,  32. 
Confession   of   Faith,   13,   17. 

changes   in.    18.   19. 

of  the   Christian   Sabbath.   15. 

of   the   Church,    14. 

of  creation  and  providence,  lo. 

of  depravity,   14. 

of  the  future  state,  15. 

of   God   and   the    Holy    Trinity,    13. 

of  the   Holy   Ghost,    13. 

of  the  Holy  Scriptures,   14. 

of   Jesus   Christ,    13.  • 

of  justification,    14. 

of  regeneration  and   adoption,   15. 

of    the    sacraments.    14. 

of    sanctification.    15. 
Constitution  of   Church,    16. 

amendments  to,   18. 

in  force,  18. 
Contests,  42. 

Contribution   card,   formula   for.   222,   223. 
Corner-stone  laying,   formula  for,   198. 
Courses  of  reading  and  study  : 

for   annual-conference   preachers,    78. 

for    deaconesses,    74.    75. 

for   German   preachers,   82. 

for  quarterly-conference  preachers,  47,   77. 

completing  the  course,   83. 

examinations.    78. 

Seminary   graduates,    83. 
Courses  of  study  in  the   colleges  : 

extension  courses,   169. 

standard    of,    165. 
Court  of  appeals,  17,   84. 

Day  of  prayer  for  students.   167. 
Deacons,    32. 
Heaconesses,   73. 

certificate,  form  of.  2]  0. 

certificate  of  consecration,  form   of,   210. 

consecration    of,    196. 

course   of   study,   74. 

(xerman  course  of  study,  75. 

homes   for,    74. 

in  local  churches,  73. 
T^ead,   formula    for  burial   of,   206. 
Dedication    of   churches,    formula    for,    198. 
Delegates  to  the   General   Conference  : 

expenses   of,    42. 

how  elected,  40. 
T^elinquent   non-resident    members,    29. 
Disbanding    classes,    30. 
Discipline  : 

in  effect,   225. 

power  to  repeal,   16. 
Dismissals  : 

of  class-leaders.  31. 

of  class-stewards,  32. 
Disobedience  to  order  of  Church,  25. 
Disputes,  26. 
Districts  : 

annual  conference,   178. 

bishops',   177. 
Divorce  and  divorced  persons,  rule  regarding,   89. 
Doctrinal  publications,  163. 


232  INDEX 

Duties  of  members.  21. 
care   of    pour,    23. 
delincjueiit   members,   22, 
family   piety,    21. 
love   to  otliers.   21. 
means  of  grace,   21. 
necessity  of  union,  24. 
nonconformity  to  world,  23. 
obedience,  22^   24. 
receiving   ministers,   23. 
Sabbath   observance,   22, 
Sabbatli  schools,   22. 
singing.  21. 

support   of   general    interests,    22. 
support    of   gospel,    22. 
Young  People's  societies,   22. 

East  District,  bishops',  177. 

East   Pennsylvania   Conference,    boundary   of.    179. 

East   Nebraska   Conference,   boundary   of,   179. 

East  Ohio  Conference,  boundary  of,   179. 

East   Tennessee   Conference,   boundary   of,    179. 

Education  : 

academies,  168. 

Board  of,   see  Education.   Board   of. 

Bonebrake   Seminary,   see   Bouebrake   Seminary, 

colleges,   see  Colleges. 

college-extension  courses,  169. 
Education,   Board  of : 

annual   conference  board,  167. 

beneficiary    aid,    166. 

collections   for,   166. 

constitution    of,    164. 
delinquents,    166. 

education  day,  167. 

establishment  of  scliools,  168. 

executive  committee  of,   167. 

general   aim,   165. 

objects  of,    165. 
officers   of,    164. 

organization,    164. 

publications,   165. 

quadrennial   report.    167. 

recommendations  to,  166. 

reports   and   recommendations,   166. 
Education  Day,  167. 
Educational   institution,   see  Education. 
Elders : 

election   to  orders,   53. 

examining    committee,    duties   of,    53. 

examination  of  candidates  for  orders,   52. 

functions   of.    53. 

in  the  General  Conference,   16. 

ordination    of,    53,    57. 
formula  for,  191. 

questions   regarding   candidates,   52. 

who   are,   51. 
Election   of  General   Conference  delegates  : 

conference   representation,    39. 

publication   of  results,   42. 

returns  of,  41. 
Electioneering    forbidden,    38. 
Enabling   acts,   186. 
Erie   Conference,   boundary   of.   180. 
Estimating  committee,  36,   122. 


INDEX  238 

Evangelists  . 

authorized.    52. 

work   of.   68. 
Evangel istif  commis.sion.   68.   22r>. 
Examiuatious  : 

of   annual    confereni-es,    17,   43. 

of   annual-conference   preachers,   78. 

of   deaconesses,    73. 

of  (luarterly-conference   preachers,   78. 

of   preachers   regarding   life,   38. 
Exchange   of   pastors   by    conference   superintendent,    55. 
Expelled  preacliers  not  to  be  received,   50. 
Expulsion  : 

of   annual-conference   preachers,   60. 

of  quarterly-conference   preachers,   59. 

Family  piety,  21. 
Fast  days,   56. 

Finance,   Commission   on,   118,   224. 
Foreign   district,    bishop   of,    56. 
Foreign   mission   conferences  : 
China,   1ST. 
Japan,    187. 
Philippines,   187. 
Porto    Rico,    187. 
West  Africa,   187. 
delegates   of,   40,    136. 
Foreign   Missionary    Society,   17,    130, 
Forms  : 

bequests  to  Board  of  Church  Trustees,  211. 

to   Church   Erection   Society,   211. 

to  Missionary   Societies,   210.  • 

to  Bonebralve  Theological  Seminary,  211. 

to   Woman's   Missionary    Association,    211. 
certificates   and   licenses,    20S. 
certificates  of  membership,  208. 

of  a  deaconess.  210. 

of  consecration  of  a  deaconess,   210. 

of  return,   208. 

of  transfer  of  member,  208. 

of  withdrawal,   208. 
class-leader's   report,    216. 
class-steward's  report,  216. 

conference  superintendent's  report  to  bishop,  219. 
contribution   cards,   222. 
general   steward's   report.   221. 
license,   for   annual-conference   preachers.   209. 

for  elder,  209. 

for  lay  preachers,  209. 

for    quarterly-conference    preachers.    209. 

for   quarterly-conference   preachers — permanent,   209. 
pastor's  monthly  report  to  conference  superintendent,   220. 
pastor's  report   to  annual   conference,   217. 
pastor's   report  to  quarterly   conference,  212. 
pastor's  quarterly  report  to  presiding  elder,  213. 
report  of  president  of  Young  People's  Society,   214. 
report   of   treasurer  of  church  or   parsonage   board,   221. 
Sabbath-school    superintendent'.s'  report,    215. 
transfer  of  preachers.  210. 
Formulas  :  , 

Apostles'   Creed,   207. 
baptism  of  adults,    189. 
baptism   of  children.   190. 
burial   of  the  dead,   206. 
churcli  dedication,   198. 
consecration   of   a   deaconess,    196, 


234  INDEX 

consecration   of   a   foreign   missionary,   194. 
consecration   of   a   home    missionary",    193. 
holy   communion,    190. 
laving  of  corner-stone,  198. 
Lord's   prayer,    207. 
marriage  ceremony,   204. 

with    ring,    204. 
ordination  of  elders,    191. 
parsonage   dedication,   202. 
reception  of  members  into  the  Church,   188. 

GENERAii   Conference  : 

absent  voters  for  delegates,  41. 

appeals  to,  85. 

bishops'   announcement   of  representation,   40. 

blanks,   40. 

boards   of   trustees,    43. 

boundaries  of  annual  conferences,  17,  178. 

canvassing  and  publication  of  returns,  42. 

composition   of,    16,    39. 

contests,  42. 

duties  of,   16. 

election   boards,    41. 

election  of  delegates  to,  16,  40. 
of    officers,    43. 

election    returns,    41, 

entertainment    of,    42. 

examination   of  annual   conferences,   43. 

expenses  of  delegates,  42. 

expense   fund,   43. 

limitation   and  restriction,   17. 

location  of,  42. 

meetings,    44. 

members  of,   16,   39. 

nomination  of  lay  delegates,  40. 
of  ministerial   delegates,  40. 

nominees,   list   of.   40. 

number   of  annual   conferences,   17. 

power,    17,    18. 

presiding  officers   of,    17,   56. 

quorum,    16. 

representation   In,   39. 

tellers  to  count  votes  for  delegates,  40. 

time  of  convening,   16. 
General  Church  Treasurer,  44. 
General   steward  : 

how  elected.  35. 

member  of  quarterly  conference,  34. 
Georgia-Florida    Conference,    180. 

German  churches,  transfer  to  English  and  vice  versa,  92. 
Going  to  law,   27. 
Government,  obedience  to,  22. 
Government  of  th^  Cliurch,   30. 

Historical  Society  : 

constitution    of.    173. 

funds,   175. 

General   Conference,   recognition   of,   173. 

location,   173. 

meetings,    176. 

members   of,   173. 

object,   173. 

officers  of,    174.    175. 

property  of,  175. 
History  of  the  Church,   outline  of,   9. 


INDEX  235 


Home  Missionary   Society,   124. 
Home  training  of  children.  68. 

Immoral   conduct,    25. 

Incorporation  of   Boards  of  Trustees  : 

for  churcti-tiouses  and  parsonages,   91. 

for  general   church   property.   94. 
Indiana   Conference,   boundary   of,   180. 
Intoxicating  drinks,  87. 
Insurance   of   church    property,    91,    158. 
Iowa   State   Conference,   boundary   of,   180. 
Itinerancy,    17.    64. 
Itinerants,  see  Preachers,  itinerant. 

Japan  Mission  Conference^  187. 
Junior   societies.   111. 

Kentucky  Conference   District^   180. 

Lay    delegates  :  • 

in  the  annual  conferences,  ?,7. 

in   the   General   Conference,    16,   39. 
Lay   preachers : 

duties   of,  46. 

how  licensed.  46. 

renewal   of   license,  46. 

trial  of,  59. 
Leaders,  class,  see  Class-leaders. 
License  : 

granting 

to  annual-conference  preachers,  48. 

to  lay  preachers,   35,  46. 

to  preachers  by  quarterly  conference,  35,   48. 

renewal    of  : 

lay   preacher's,   46, 
quarterly-conference    preacher's,    48. 
Licentiates  : 

probation    of,    52. 

who  they  are,   51. 
Limit  of  certificate  of  members,  28. 
Limit  of  transfer  of  preachers,   50. 
Literature  : 

circulation  of  general   church,   66. 

in    Sunday    schools,    100. 
Loans  of  Church-Erection  Society,  157, 
Local   Preachers,   see  Preachers,   local. 
Lord's  Prayer,  207. 
Lord's   Supper  : 

doctrine  of.  14. 

formula   for,    190. 

preparation  for,  32. 
Lot    fund,    159. 

Louisiana  Conference,  boundary  of,  180. 
Lower-  Wabash  Conference,  boundary  of,   181. 

Marriage  ; 

formula  for,  204. 

marriage   relation.   89, 

who  may  solemnize,  62, 
Menrbers    of   Church  : 

acceptance  of  applicants,  19,  20. 

amenability  of  certified  members,  29. 

apportionments  to,  36,  122. 

certificate  of  withdrawal.   29. 

committee   on   applicants,   20. 


236  INDEX 

delinquent   members,   22. 
delinquent    non-i-esidents,   29. 
duties  of  : 

care  of  the  poor,   23. 
duty  of  obedience,  24. 
family    piety,    21. 
love   to   others,    21. 
means  of  grace,  21. 
necessity   of  union,   24. 
uon  conformity   to   the   world.    23. 
obedience  to  government.  22. 
receiving   ministers,    23. 
Sabbath   observance,   22. 
Sabbath   schools,   22. 
singing,   21. 
support   of  gospel,   22. 
membership   of   preachers.    29. 
preacher's   responsibility   in   reception  of,   21. 
(luestions   to   applicants,    19. 
receiving  persons  from  other  churches,  20. 
reception  of,  19,  • 

seekers,    20. 

support  of  general   interests,  23.  ^ 

transfer  of,  27. 
certificate  of,  27. 
form    for,    208. 
certificate   of  recommendation,    28. 
limit   of   certificate,    28. 
notice    of    forwarding    certificate,    28. 
notice   of   reception   of  certificate,    28. 
ti-ial   of,    25. 

disobedience   to   order   of   churih,    2.5. 
disputes,   26. 

going  to  law  forbidden,  27. 
immoral    conduct,    25. 
order  in  trials,   27. 
personal   trespass,   25. 
record    of    trials,    27. 
right  of  appeal,  26. 
Young  People's   Society.  22. 
Membership,   ministry,   and   government   of  the  Church.   19. 
Membership  of  preachers,  29. 
Miami   Conference,    boundary   of,    181. 
Michigan  Conference,   boundary   of,   5  81. 
Ministry    of   Church  : 

annual-conference  preachers,   see   Preachers,   annual   confer- 
ence, 
bishops,    see   Bishops, 
classification  of,   52, 
elders,   see   Elders, 
lay   preachers,    see   Lay   Preachers, 
marriage,    who    may   solemnize,    63. 
preachers"  duties  in  general,  62. 

quai'terly-conference    preachers,     see    Preachers,     quarterly- 
conference, 
reception  of  preachers  from  other  churches,  51. 
trial  of  preachers,  see  Trials. 
Minnesota  Conference,   boundary   of,   181. 
Mission    conferences,    organization    of,    57, 
Mission  districts,   134. 
Missionaries  : 

duties   of,   127. 
salaries  of,   127 
Missionary   Association,   Woman's,  see  Woman's  Missionary  As- 
sociation. 


INDEX  237 

Missionary  Day,   133. 
Mitisionaiy    Societies 
Foreign 

annual  conference  treasurer.  183. 

bequests,    form  of,   210. 

board  of  directors,   130. 
duties   of,   130. 

brauclL   organizations,   132. 

conferences,     134. 

course   of  study  and  rules,    136. 

constitution,    130. 

executive  committee,  duties  of,   131. 

functions.    130. 

general   secretary,  duties  of,   132. 
■  '  local  organization,  132. 

membersliip,    130. 

ministry,   relation  of,   133, 

missionaries.   135. 

mission    council.    135. 

mission    conference,    136. 
powers  and  duties  of,   136. 
representation,     136. 

missionary   day,    133. 

mission   districts,    134. 

name,    130. 

officers,    130. 

organization.  130. 

Sunday  school,  relation  of,   133. 

superintendents,   135. 

supervision    of,    58. 

treasurer,   duties  of,    133. 

under  control  of  General  Conference.  17. 
Home: 

bequests   to,   210. 
form    of.    210. 

board  of   control,   duties  of,   124. 

branch   officers,    125. 
branch  societies,    125. 

constitution,    124. 

duties  of  bishops,  127. 

duties  of  pastors,  127. 

funds,    126. 

local  organization,   126. 

mission   districts,   127. 

missionaries,   127. 

missionary  day,   126. 

officers,    duties    of.    124. 

organization,  124, 

rural   life.   129. 

social  service,  86,  127. 

special    support,    126. 

Sunday  schools,   relation   of,   126. 

treasurer's    security,    44. 

under   control   of   General   Conference,   17. 

unoccupied   territory,   127. 
Woman's,    see   Woman's   Missionary    Association. 
Mission  Conferences,  187. 
Missouri  Conference,  boundary  of,  181. 
Moral   reform,   86. 
family,  89, 
oaths.   88. 

Sabbath   observance,   88. 
secret  combinations,  88. 
slavery,    88. 
social  service.  86,  127. 
temperance,  87. 


288  INDEX 

tobacco,    87. 
war,    89. 
Moving  the  preacher,  69. 

Neosho  Conference,  boundary  of,   182. 

New   schools,   formation  of.   165. 

Nonconformity  to  the   world,    23. 

North   Kansas  Conference,   boundary  of,   182. 

Northern   Illinois  Conference,   boundary   of,    182. 

North  Nebraska  Conference,   boundary  of.  182. 

North   Texas   Conference,    182. 

Oaths^  88. 

Obedience,  duty  of,  24. 

Official  boards  : 

duties   of,    33. 

executive  council.  34. 

members  of,  33. 

review  by  quarterly  conference,  34. 

revision  of  records  by.  34. 
Ohio   German   Conference,    boundary   of.   183. 
Oklahoma  Conference,   boundary   of,   183. 
Old  People's  Homes.  44. 
Orders,  election  to  elders',  52. 
Ordination  : 

of  elders,   53,   57, 
formula  for,   191. 
Oregon  Conference,  boundary  of,  183. 
Origin  of  the  Church.  9, 
Orphanages,    44. 

Pacific  District,  177. 
Parsonages  : 

abandoned,   92. 
building   of,    91. 

conditions  of  mortgages  and   liens.   92. 
conference  or  district  property,  93. 
division  of  interest  in,  93. 
duty   of  churches  to  provide,   69. 
real  estate.  93. 
sale  or  rent  of,  91. 
trustees  of,  90. 
Pastor  : 

collections    for,    31. 

duties  of,  see  Preachers,  itinerant — ^duties  of,  33.  65. 
duty  of  members  to  receive,  23. 
resignation  of,  64.  ^ 

Pastoral   charges,    65, 
Pastoral    visiting,   67. 

Pennsylvania  Conference,  boundary  of.  183. 
Poor,    care   of,    23. 
Preachers : 

annual-conference : 
accountability   of,   50. 
Bible  cause,  51. 

church  membership  of  preachers,  29. 
classification  of,  51. 
course  of  reading  for,  79. 
directions  to,  62, 
educational  requirements,  49. 
elders,  see  Elders, 
evangelists,  52,  68. 
examination  of,   48,   78. 
exemption  from  examination,   49, 
expelled  preacher,  50. 
form  of  license,  209. 


INDEX  239 


how   received,  48. 

itinerants,   see  Preachers,   itinerant. 

licentiates,   51. 

limit   of  transfer,   50. 

local   preachers,   18,   52. 

membership  in  church  required,  29. 

qualifications    of,    49. 

reception  of,   51. 

responsibility  of,  21. 

sacraments  and   unordained  preachers,   50. 

transfer  of,  50. 

trial    of.    60. 
general    duties,    62. 
preachers  not  to  trespass,  6.^. 
itinerant  : 

annual   reorganization,  66. 

circulation   of   literature.   66. 

classification  of,  51. 

collections  by,  67. 

defined,  52. 

dismissal  of  appointments,  67. 

duties  of,  65. 

in  the  transfer  of  members,   27. 
to    Sunday   schools,   98. 
to  the  poor,  23. 

employment   of   other  than   itinerants.   65. 

evangelistic   work,    68. 

examination    by    annual    conference,    .38. 

how   constituted,    64. 

membership   in   church   required.   29. 

ministerial   relief.    70. 

missionary  contribution,  67. 

moving  of,  69, 

parsonages,    69. 

pastoral    cliarges.    65. 

pastoral    visiting.    67. 

pension   bureau,    70. 

power   to   exchange,    55. 

presiding  at  trials,  66. 

records  of.  67. 

reports  of.   66,  212.   213.   217,   220. 

resignation  of,   64. 

revision  of  records,   66. 

salaries   of,    69. 

stationing   of,   65. 
appeal   from,   65. 

stewards'   duties   regarding,   31. 

superannuated,  52. 

supei'numerary,  52. 

support  of.   22.   69. 

training  of  children,   68. 

withdrawal  of,  64. 
lay 
duties  of,  46. 

how   licensed.    46. 

renewal   of   lirensp,   46. 

trial    of.    59. 
local,    defined,   52. 
quarterly    conference  : 

course   of   reading,  for.   47.   77. 

examination  of.  46,   78. 

license  of,  46,  78. 

recommendation  to  annual   conference,  48. 

renewal   of  license,   35,   48, 
required  to  hold  church  membership.  29. 

trial  of,  35.   59. 


240  INDEX 

restrictions    upon,    62. 

preaelieis  from  other  churches,   51. 
Preachers'    Pension    Bureau  : 

ujauagement,    70, 

method    of   relief,   70.  • 
object,   70. 

rights  of  annual   conferences,   71. 

source   of   income.    71,    119,    120. 
Printing  Establishment  : 
•    book    committee,    162, 

doctrinal   publications,   163. 

election   of  officers,    160. 

employment   of   time,    162. 

local   committee,  160. 

name,    160. 

proceeds  of,  162. 

publishing  agent,  duties  of.   161. 

trustees — election   and   duties,    160. 

under   control    of   General    Conference,   17. 

vacancies,    162. 
Property  : 

church-houses  and  parsonages,  90. 

of  (ieneral   Board  of  Church  Trustees,   94. 

title    to,    17. 
Publications,    Church.   162. 
I'ublishing  House,  see  Printing  Establishment. 

Quarterly   Conference  : 

appeal   to   annual   conference,   37, 
appeals    and   trials.    35. 

apportionment  to  members,   36. 
duties  and   powers  of,  35. 
estimating  committee  appointed  by  the,  36. 
examination  of  applicants  for  license,  46. 
examination  on  course  of  study.   78. 
general   steward   appointed   by,   35. 
licensing  of  preachers,  35,  46. 
members   of,    34. 
place  of  meeting,  37. 

quorum    for    transaction    of    business,    34. 
recommending  preachers  to  annual   conference,   35.  48. 
renewing   licenses,    35,   48. 
reviewing  acts  of  official  board,  34. 
trial  by,   59. 

Real  estate  for  church  purposes,  93. 
Reception   of  ministers   by   local    church,   23. 
Records  : 

church,    67. 

of   class-leaders,   31. 

of   trials,    27. 

revision   of,    66. 
Reorganization  of  classes,  66. 
Reports  : 

of    bishops,    56, 

of   pastors,    66,    212,    213.    217,    220. 

of    conference   superintendents,    54. 

of   proceedings   of   (ieneral    Conference    authorized,    162. 
Representation   in   the   General    Conference.    16,    39. 
Revision   of  church   records,   66. 
Right  of  appeal,   26. 
Rural    life,    129.    225. 

Sabbath   observance,   15,  22,   88. 
Sa<!raments  : 

baptism   and   the   rx)rd's    Supper,   14. 

formulas    for   administering,    189,    190. 


INDEX  241 

Salaries  : 

of  blsbops,  56. 

of   cliuich-eieclion   seoretary,    ir»6. 
of    editors,    160. 
general  church  treasurer,  44. 
of   uiissionaries,    09,    127. 

of  missionary  secretary  and  treasurer,  125,  133, 
of   pastors,   69. 
of   publishing   agent.    160. 
Sandusky   Conference,    boundary   of,    183. 
Secret  combinations  : 

constitutional   provision,   18. 

law  on,  88, 
Secretaries  of   annual   conferences,   38. 
Security   of  missionary    t  ivasurt-r,   44. 
Seekers,   20. 

Seminary   graduates,   83. 
Sermons,   special  : 

by   bishops,   56. 

on   missions,  67. 
Singing.   21. 
Slavery,   18,   88. 
Social    service,   80.   127. 

Southeast   Ohio   Conference,   boundary   of.    184. 
Soutlieru   District,    177. 

Southwest    Kansas   Conference,    boundary   of,    184. 
Soutliwest   district,    177. 
Special   rules,   86 

St.    Joseph    Conference,    boundary    of,    184. 
Stationing  Committee  : 

appeal  from.  65. 

for  bishops,   56. 

for  pastors,   65. 

for    conference    superintendents,    54. 

time   of   reporting,   65. 
Stewards,  see  Class-stewards,   General  steward,  and  conference- 
superintendent  steward. 
Sunday-School,    Brotherliood,    and    Young    People's   Work  : 

annual  conference  relations,  98. 

board  of  control,  95. 

constitution  of  General  Board,  95. 

duties    of   officers,    97. 

executive  committee,  90. 

funds.   96. 

members   of   board,    95. 

meetings.  96,  97. 

object,    95. 

officers.    96. 

pastor's    relations,    98. 

religious  education  council.   99. 

secretaries,   97,   106. 

under  control  of  General  Conference,  17. 

vacancies,    96. 
Sunday-scliool   work,   99. 

children's    day,    98. 

constitution    for,    99. 

duties   of  superintendent.   100. 

duty   of  members  toward,   22. 

elections   in,   100. 

form  of  superintendent's  report,  215. 

missions   in,    101. 

organization   of,   99. 

pastor's   relation   to,   98. 

relation  to  missionary  work,   101.   130,   133. 


242  INDEX 

Superannuated   ministers  : 

itinerants.   52. 

support    of,    70, 
Superintendents  of   Sunday   schools.   100. 

election  by  ttie  official  board  provided  for,  100. 
Superintendents'    Association,   57. 
Supernumerary    ministers.    52. 
Support   of  general   interests,   23. 
Support  of  the  gospel,  22.  ^ 

Suspension    of  preachers,    59,   60. 

Teachers  of  Sunday  schools,  100. 
Tellers  :  , 

annual-conference,   40. 
local,  41. 
Temperance.   87,   225. 
commission,  87, 
day.  87. 
Thanksgiving  days,   bishops   may   appoint,   56. 
Tobacco,   47,   49,  87. 
Transfers  : 

of  members,  27,  208. 
of  preachers.   50,  210. 
limit  of  transfer,   50. 
Transfer  and  withdrawal   of   members 
amenability   of   members.   29. 
certificate   of,   27. 
certificate  of  recommendation,  28. 

of   withdrawal,    29, 
delinquent  non-resident  members,  29. 
limit  of  certificates,  28. 
membership  of  preachers.    29. 
notice   of  forwarding   certificate,    28. 
notice  of  reception   on   certificate.   28. 
non-resident   members,   27. 
Treasurer  : 

of  local  church,  33,  122. 
general    church,    44. 
duties   of.   44,    133. 
security  of,  44. 
Trials  : 

of  bishops,   61. 
lay   preachers.    35.    59. 
of  members,   25,  27. 
for  disobedience,   25. 
for* immoral  conduct.  25. 
goin.g  to  law  forbidden,  27. 
in  disputes,   26. 
order  in,  27. 
persona]    trespass.   25. 
president   at.   59,   66. 
of  preachers,   59. 

annual-conference.    60. 
quarterly-conference.   35.    59. 
of  conference  superintendents.  61. 
records   of,   27. 
Trustees  : 

of  churches,   90. 

of  Printing  Establishment,    160. 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  94. 
of   Woman's   Missionary    Association,    140. 

Union,  necessity  of,  24.  

United  Brethren  Publishing  House,  see  Printing  Establishment. 


INDEX  24:  { 

\'ac'ax(Iks  : 

in    bishopric,   .l.s, 

in   pastoral  charges,   oT),   65. 

in    conference    superintendents'    districts,    55. 
Vacant  church-houses  and   parsonages,  91,   157. 
Virginia  Conference,   boundary   of.    184. 
Visiting   by   pastors,    67. 

War,.  89. 

West  Africa  Mission  Conference,  boundary  of.  187. 

West   District,   bishops',   177. 

West    Nebraslca   Conference,    l-oundary    of,    185. 

V.  est  Tennessee  Conference,  boundary  of,   185. 

West  Virginia  Conference,  boundary  of,   185. 

White   River   Conference,    boundary    of,    185. 

Wisconsin   Conference,   boundary  of.    185. 

Witiidrawal   of  members.   27.   29,   208. 

Women's  Aid  Society,  constitution,  153. 

Woman's  Missionary  Assor>iation  : 

board  of  managers,   189. 

brancli    constituiiun,    1A4. 

branch   societies,    144. 

constitution.    188. 

constitution  of   Chapter   of  Otterbein   Guild.    149. 

form   of  bequest,    211. 

Junior  Christian  Endeavor,  148. 

local   constitution.    146. 

membership.    189. 

officers,  duties  of.  189.  140.  141. 

organization.   189. 

Otterbein    Guild.    142. 

purpose   and   functions,    188. 

relation  to  Church,   138. 

special   funds,   142. 

trustees,    duties    of.    140. 

young  wouipu.    142. 

Young   People's   Wokic  : 

board  of  control,   relation   to.   95.   10(>. 
branch   unions,   115. 
constitution  of,   104. 
committees,   and  duties  of,   105.    I(i9. 
dues,   108. 

duties   of  pastors   toward.   98. 
elections.    108.    111. 
finances,    109. 
meetings,  108. 
members,    105. 
ob.iect.    104. 

officers,    and  duties   of,    105,    106, 
prayer-meetings,   107. 
.Tunior    Society  • 

committees,   and  duties  of.   118. 

constitution.  111. 

meetings,   114. 

membership.   112. 

object,  111. 

otixcers.    duties   of,    112.   118. 

pledge.    112. 

relationship,    114. 
l)resid('nt.c    of,    members   of   (quarterly    couferonce.    84. 
relation   to   church,    108. 
reports   to   quarterly   conference,   216. 
Watclurord  and  Religious  Telesroiic,  IKi. 
young  members  to  unite  with,  22. 


